Unicoi County Health Data

Unicoi County, Tennessee

Health Score

22/100

Below Avg

Life Expectancy

71.2 yr

Uninsured Rate

10.8%

Health Statistics

Life Expectancy

71.2 yr

State avg 72.4 yr

National avg 77.5 yr

Uninsured Rate

10.8%

State avg 11.9%

National avg 9%

Primary Care Providers

45

per 100K population

National avg 82

Mental Health Providers

23

per 100K population

National avg 350

Data Story

About Health in Unicoi County, Tennessee

Unicoi's health significantly lags nation

At 71.2 years, Unicoi County residents live 1.4 years less than the U.S. average of 72.6 years, and 25.5% report poor or fair health—among the nation's highest rates. These figures signal substantial chronic disease burden and underscore urgent need for prevention and treatment expansion.

Unicoi ranks among state's weakest health outcomes

Unicoi's 71.2-year life expectancy falls well below Tennessee's 72.4-year average, and its 25.5% poor/fair health rate is among the state's worst. At 10.8% uninsured, the county exceeds state average affordability challenges, compounding barriers to care for those with chronic illness.

Unicoi faces severe regional health crisis

Unicoi's 71.2-year life expectancy is the lowest in its peer group, and its 25.5% poor/fair health rate exceeds all neighbors except Union County (22.1%). The county's 23 mental health providers per 100K and 45 primary care providers per 100K signal moderate capacity but insufficient for the burden of disease present.

Limited providers meet substantial health needs

Unicoi has 45 primary care providers per 100,000 residents and only 23 mental health providers per 100K—inadequate to address a population where one in four reports poor health. Combined with 10.8% uninsured, residents face both access bottlenecks and cost barriers to treatment.

Coverage is step one toward health

One in ten Unicoi County residents lacks insurance, putting preventive and emergency care out of reach. Enroll at healthcare.gov or contact the Unicoi County Health Department to access coverage, then prioritize regular checkups and mental health screening to address the county's health crisis.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the health ranking of Unicoi County, TN?
Unicoi County has a health score of 22/100, rated "Below Average." It ranks #65 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 Unicoi County?
Life expectancy in Unicoi County is 71.2 years. The Tennessee state average is 72.4 years, making Unicoi County below the state average.
How does Unicoi County health compare to the Tennessee average?
Unicoi County's health score of 22/100 is below the Tennessee average of 29/100. Life expectancy is 71.2 years vs. the state average of 72.4 years. The uninsured rate is 10.8% vs. 11.9% statewide.
What health factors affect Unicoi County?
Key health factors for Unicoi County include: life expectancy (71.2 years), uninsured rate (10.8%), and primary care physician access (45:1 (population to primary care physicians)). Mental health provider access is 23:1 population-to-provider ratio. These metrics are sourced from the CDC County Health Rankings & Roadmaps program.
Is Unicoi County a healthy place to live?
With a health score of 22/100 ("Below Average"), Unicoi County faces health challenges compared to other counties in Tennessee. Residents have a life expectancy of 71.2 years. 10.8% 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 Unicoi County?
Unicoi County's health score of 22/100 is below the Tennessee average of 29/100. The uninsured rate of 10.8% 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.