Buchanan County Health Data
Buchanan County, Virginia
Health Score
20/100
Below Avg
Life Expectancy
69.4 yr
Uninsured Rate
9.9%
Health Statistics
Life Expectancy
69.4 yr
State avg 75.1 yr
National avg 77.5 yr
Uninsured Rate
9.9%
State avg 7.9%
National avg 9%
Primary Care Providers
25
per 100K population
National avg 82
Mental Health Providers
52
per 100K population
National avg 350
Data Story
About Health in Buchanan County, Virginia
Buchanan faces the state's deepest health crisis
Buchanan County's life expectancy of 69.4 years is the lowest in Virginia and trails the U.S. average of 76.4 years by 7.0 years—a devastating gap. Over 1 in 4 residents (26.5%) report poor or fair health, signaling widespread chronic disease and premature mortality.
Virginia's lowest life expectancy by far
At 69.4 years, Buchanan County's life expectancy is 5.7 years below Virginia's 75.1-year average—the widest gap among any Virginia county. This reflects a population in acute health crisis, with limited resources and deep structural barriers to wellness.
Worst health outcomes in Appalachian region
Buchanan County's 69.4-year life expectancy is the lowest among all neighboring mountain counties, including Bristol city (71.7 years). With only 25 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—critically low—and 52 mental health providers per 100,000, the county faces a severe healthcare infrastructure deficit.
Highest uninsured rate, fewest primary care doctors
Buchanan County's 9.9% uninsured rate is the highest among peer counties, and the shortage of primary care physicians (25 per 100,000)—half the state average—means uninsured residents have nowhere to turn for basic care. This dual crisis of coverage gaps and provider scarcity drives preventable deaths and suffering.
Get covered now—your life depends on it
If you're uninsured in Buchanan County, reaching healthcare.gov and enrolling is not optional—it's lifesaving. Medicaid expansion eligibility and marketplace plans can connect you to primary care, mental health support, and chronic disease management that the community desperately needs.
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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.