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

What is the health ranking of Bledsoe County, TN?
Bledsoe County has a health score of 27/100, rated "Below Average." It ranks #39 out of 95 counties in Tennessee (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 Bledsoe County?
Life expectancy in Bledsoe County is 76.3 years. The Tennessee state average is 72.4 years, making Bledsoe County above the state average.
How does Bledsoe County health compare to the Tennessee average?
Bledsoe County's health score of 27/100 is below the Tennessee average of 29/100. Life expectancy is 76.3 years vs. the state average of 72.4 years. The uninsured rate is 16.1% vs. 11.9% statewide.
What health factors affect Bledsoe County?
Key health factors for Bledsoe County include: life expectancy (76.3 years), uninsured rate (16.1%), and primary care physician access (13:1 (population to primary care physicians)). Mental health provider access is 33:1 population-to-provider ratio. These metrics are sourced from the CDC County Health Rankings & Roadmaps program.
Is Bledsoe County a healthy place to live?
With a health score of 27/100 ("Below Average"), Bledsoe County faces health challenges compared to other counties in Tennessee. Residents have a life expectancy of 76.3 years. 16.1% 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 Bledsoe County?
Bledsoe County's health score of 27/100 is below the Tennessee average of 29/100. The uninsured rate of 16.1% means a significant portion of residents may face barriers to healthcare. 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.