Providence County Health Data

Providence County, Rhode Island

Health Score

77/100

Excellent

Life Expectancy

78.2 yr

Uninsured Rate

6.1%

Health Statistics

Life Expectancy

78.2 yr

State avg 79.9 yr

National avg 77.5 yr

Uninsured Rate

6.1%

State avg 4.2%

National avg 9%

Primary Care Providers

97

per 100K population

National avg 82

Mental Health Providers

587

per 100K population

National avg 350

Data Story

About Health in Providence County, Rhode Island

Providence health outcomes lag significantly

Providence County residents live to just 78.2 years, falling 5.8 years short of the U.S. average of 76.4 years and 1.7 years below Rhode Island's 79.9-year average—a notable gap. At 17.1% reporting poor or fair health, Providence's rate is 27% higher than the national average of 13.5%, signaling widespread chronic disease burden.

Rhode Island's lowest life expectancy county

Providence County ranks last among Rhode Island counties for life expectancy at 78.2 years and has the highest poor/fair health rate statewide at 17.1%. The county's 6.1% uninsured rate is the worst in the state, far exceeding Rhode Island's 4.2% average by 45%, leaving over 15,000 residents without coverage.

Health gap widens versus neighboring counties

Providence's 78.2-year lifespan trails Newport by 3.9 years and Bristol by 2.5 years, revealing significant disparities within the state. Providence's 6.1% uninsured rate is 1.6 percentage points above the next-worst county (Kent at 4%), suggesting systemic access barriers.

Uninsured rate and provider gaps collide

Providence's 6.1% uninsured rate means roughly 15,000+ residents lack health coverage, likely delaying or forgoing care despite having 97 primary care providers and 587 mental health providers per 100,000 residents. Many insured residents also face affordability challenges that keep them from using available providers.

Getting covered is the first step.

If you're among Providence's 6.1% uninsured, visit HealthCare.gov or call 1-800-318-2596 today—coverage is more affordable than you may think. With strong mental health resources available, insurance unlocks the care you need to improve your health.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the health ranking of Providence County, RI?
Providence County has a health score of 77/100, rated "Excellent." It ranks #5 out of 5 counties in Rhode Island (1 = healthiest). The score is based on CDC County Health Rankings data, combining life expectancy, uninsured rates, provider access, and behavioral health indicators.
What is the life expectancy in Providence County?
Life expectancy in Providence County is 78.2 years. The Rhode Island state average is 79.9 years, making Providence County below the state average.
How does Providence County health compare to the Rhode Island average?
Providence County's health score of 77/100 is below the Rhode Island average of 92/100. Life expectancy is 78.2 years vs. the state average of 79.9 years. The uninsured rate is 6.1% vs. 4.2% statewide.
What health factors affect Providence County?
Key health factors for Providence County include: life expectancy (78.2 years), uninsured rate (6.1%), and primary care physician access (97:1 (population to primary care physicians)). Mental health provider access is 587:1 population-to-provider ratio. These metrics are sourced from the CDC County Health Rankings & Roadmaps program.
Is Providence County a healthy place to live?
With a health score of 77/100 ("Excellent"), Providence County is one of the healthier counties in Rhode Island. Residents have a life expectancy of 78.2 years. 6.1% of adults lack health insurance. Factors like healthcare access, environmental quality, and socioeconomic conditions all contribute to these outcomes.
What are the biggest health challenges in Providence County?
Providence County's health score of 77/100 is below the Rhode Island average of 92/100. Improving health outcomes often requires investment in healthcare infrastructure, insurance coverage expansion, and community health programs.

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Data Sources

Health data sourced from the County Health Rankings & Roadmaps, a collaboration between the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute.

Data is informational only. Not medical or health advice. Coverage varies by county and reporting year.