Bledsoe County Health Data
Bledsoe County, Tennessee
Health Score
27/100
Below Avg
Life Expectancy
76.3 yr
Uninsured Rate
16.1%
Health Statistics
Life Expectancy
76.3 yr
State avg 72.4 yr
National avg 77.5 yr
Uninsured Rate
16.1%
State avg 11.9%
National avg 9%
Primary Care Providers
13
per 100K population
National avg 82
Mental Health Providers
33
per 100K population
National avg 350
Data Story
About Health in Bledsoe County, Tennessee
Bledsoe's paradox: longer life, higher illness
Bledsoe County residents have a life expectancy of 76.3 years—significantly higher than the U.S. average of 71.4 years, an advantage of 4.9 years. Yet 26.7% report poor or fair health, well above the national average of 21%, revealing a puzzling gap between longevity and perceived wellbeing.
Bledsoe leads Tennessee on longevity
At 76.3 years, Bledsoe's life expectancy is among the highest in Tennessee, exceeding the state average of 72.4 years by nearly 4 years. However, its 16.1% uninsured rate significantly exceeds Tennessee's 11.9% average, meaning nearly 1 in 6 residents lack health coverage.
Bledsoe's provider gap contradicts longevity
Despite boasting the region's longest life expectancy at 76.3 years, Bledsoe has just 13 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—by far the lowest in the county group. This stark provider shortage suggests longevity may mask serious access barriers for those seeking preventive care.
Severe provider shortage despite long lives
Bledsoe County's healthcare infrastructure is severely strained: just 13 primary care doctors and 33 mental health providers per 100,000 residents leave residents traveling long distances for care. With 16.1% uninsured—the highest rate among measured counties—many residents cannot afford to see the few doctors available.
Insurance matters in Bledsoe County
Nearly 1 in 6 Bledsoe County residents lack health insurance, the highest uninsured rate in this region and well above Tennessee's average. Visit TNCover.org or call 1-800-318-2596 to explore Medicaid, Marketplace plans, and emergency care resources available to you.
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Frequently Asked Questions
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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.