Kanawha County Health Data

Kanawha County, West Virginia

Health Score

35/100

Below Avg

Life Expectancy

71.0 yr

Uninsured Rate

7.5%

Health Statistics

Life Expectancy

71.0 yr

State avg 72.2 yr

National avg 77.5 yr

Uninsured Rate

7.5%

State avg 7.6%

National avg 9%

Primary Care Providers

130

per 100K population

National avg 82

Mental Health Providers

318

per 100K population

National avg 350

Data Story

About Health in Kanawha County, West Virginia

Kanawha lags national health benchmarks

Kanawha's 71.0-year life expectancy falls 3.5 years short of the U.S. average of 74.5 years. At 22.4% reporting poor or fair health, the county nearly matches the national average of 23%, suggesting systemic health challenges beyond individual behaviors.

Below-average health statewide

Kanawha's 71.0-year life expectancy runs 1.2 years below West Virginia's state average of 72.2 years, placing it in the lower half of the state's counties. The 22.4% poor/fair health rate signals persistent chronic disease burden.

Struggles compared to nearby counties

Kanawha's 71.0-year life expectancy falls 2.1 years below Harrison County (73.1 years) and 4.9 years below Jefferson County (75.9 years). However, Kanawha's 130 primary care providers per 100K ranks among the strongest in the region, suggesting barriers are social or economic rather than access-based.

Good doctors, insurance gaps remain

Kanawha's 7.5% uninsured rate sits just below the state average, meaning about 1 in 13 residents lack coverage. Despite 130 primary care providers per 100K—better than most counties—health outcomes lag, suggesting social determinants like income and education play major roles.

Get insured, get preventive care

If you're among Kanawha's uninsured, healthcare.gov and WV DHHR can connect you to affordable plans or Medicaid. Regular primary care visits catch diseases early and can reverse some of the county's health trajectory.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the health ranking of Kanawha County, WV?
Kanawha County has a health score of 35/100, rated "Below Average." It ranks #30 out of 55 counties in West 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 Kanawha County?
Life expectancy in Kanawha County is 71.0 years. The West Virginia state average is 72.2 years, making Kanawha County below the state average.
How does Kanawha County health compare to the West Virginia average?
Kanawha County's health score of 35/100 is below the West Virginia average of 37/100. Life expectancy is 71.0 years vs. the state average of 72.2 years. The uninsured rate is 7.5% vs. 7.6% statewide.
What health factors affect Kanawha County?
Key health factors for Kanawha County include: life expectancy (71.0 years), uninsured rate (7.5%), and primary care physician access (130:1 (population to primary care physicians)). Mental health provider access is 318:1 population-to-provider ratio. These metrics are sourced from the CDC County Health Rankings & Roadmaps program.
Is Kanawha County a healthy place to live?
With a health score of 35/100 ("Below Average"), Kanawha County faces health challenges compared to other counties in West Virginia. Residents have a life expectancy of 71.0 years. 7.5% 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 Kanawha County?
Kanawha County's health score of 35/100 is below the West Virginia average of 37/100. 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.