Bristol city Health Data

Bristol city, Virginia

Health Score

38/100

Below Avg

Life Expectancy

71.7 yr

Uninsured Rate

7.9%

Health Statistics

Life Expectancy

71.7 yr

State avg 75.1 yr

National avg 77.5 yr

Uninsured Rate

7.9%

State avg 7.9%

National avg 9%

Primary Care Providers

65

per 100K population

National avg 82

Mental Health Providers

137

per 100K population

National avg 350

Data Story

About Health in Bristol city, Virginia

Bristol faces alarming life expectancy crisis

Bristol city's life expectancy of 71.7 years trails the U.S. average of 76.4 years by 4.7 years—a dramatic 6% shortfall. Over 1 in 5 residents (21.2%) report poor or fair health, signaling widespread health challenges across the population.

Among Virginia's lowest life expectancies

Bristol city's 71.7-year life expectancy falls 3.4 years below Virginia's 75.1-year average, ranking it among the state's most struggling communities. This gap reflects systemic barriers to health and wellness that require urgent attention.

Lowest life expectancy in Appalachian peer group

Bristol city's 71.7-year life expectancy significantly lags nearby mountain counties like Buchanan (69.4 years—lower still)—but is substantially worse than Augusta (78.0 years). The city does have strong mental health provider capacity at 137 per 100,000 residents, though 65 primary care providers per 100,000 may be insufficient for the community's needs.

Uninsured rates match state average

Bristol city's 7.9% uninsured rate matches Virginia's average, yet the underlying health crisis suggests that insurance alone is not solving access barriers. With 65 primary care providers per 100,000, capacity for preventive care may be constrained, contributing to the reliance on crisis mental health services.

Get covered and find primary care

If you're uninsured in Bristol, healthcare.gov is your first step to affordable coverage. Look for plans that include strong primary care networks—preventive medicine and routine check-ups are crucial to improving Bristol's health trajectory.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the health ranking of Bristol city, VA?
Bristol city has a health score of 38/100, rated "Below Average." It ranks #107 out of 133 counties in Virginia (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 Bristol city?
Life expectancy in Bristol city is 71.7 years. The Virginia state average is 75.1 years, making Bristol city below the state average.
How does Bristol city health compare to the Virginia average?
Bristol city's health score of 38/100 is below the Virginia average of 56/100. Life expectancy is 71.7 years vs. the state average of 75.1 years. The uninsured rate is 7.9% vs. 7.9% statewide.
What health factors affect Bristol city?
Key health factors for Bristol city include: life expectancy (71.7 years), uninsured rate (7.9%), and primary care physician access (65:1 (population to primary care physicians)). Mental health provider access is 137:1 population-to-provider ratio. These metrics are sourced from the CDC County Health Rankings & Roadmaps program.
Is Bristol city a healthy place to live?
With a health score of 38/100 ("Below Average"), Bristol city faces health challenges compared to other counties in Virginia. Residents have a life expectancy of 71.7 years. 7.9% 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 Bristol city?
Bristol city's health score of 38/100 is below the Virginia average of 56/100. 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.