Kanawha County Health Data
Kanawha County, West Virginia
CDC County Health RankingsHealth 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
Poor / Fair Health
22.4%
State avg 24.7%
National avg 19.6%
Healthcare Access
Primary Care Physicians
42.6
per 100K residentsCDC: 129.8 per 100K
Dentists
10.7
per 100K residents
Nurse Practitioners & PAs
25.8
per 100K residents
Provider counts from CMS NPPES (National Provider Identifier Registry). Data current as of 2026.
Chronic Disease & Behavioral Health
These prevalence estimates come from the CDC PLACES program (Population-Level Analysis and Community Estimates), which combines BRFSS survey data with statistical modeling to produce county-level rates. Estimates are age-adjusted to enable fair comparisons across counties with different age distributions. Use them to spot where Kanawha County differs most from state and national norms.
Most prevalent chronic conditions
| Measure | Kanawha | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity | 40.3% | 41.3% | 37.6% | 1.0 pts better than state |
| Diabetes | 12.4% | 13.2% | 11.2% | 0.8 pts better than state |
| High Blood Pressure | 39.9% | 39.0% | 33.5% | 0.9 pts worse than state |
| Depression | 31.8% | 32.4% | 24.1% | 0.6 pts better than state |
Health-risk behaviors
| Measure | Kanawha | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Current Cigarette Smoking | 19.6% | 21.4% | 16.3% | 1.8 pts better than state |
| Binge Drinking | 16.6% | 16.0% | 17.8% | 0.6 pts worse than state |
| Physical Inactivity | 30.4% | 32.6% | 27.0% | 2.2 pts better than state |
Preventive-care uptake
| Measure | Kanawha | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Routine Checkup | 79.2% | 77.9% | 74.9% | 1.3 pts better than state |
| Dental Visit (past year) | 58.8% | 52.1% | 57.3% | 6.7 pts better than state |
| Mammography (women 50–74) | 71.7% | 74.4% | 73.3% | 2.7 pts worse than state |
Daily-life impact
| Measure | Kanawha | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frequent Mental Distress | 23.0% | 23.4% | 18.6% | near state average |
| Short Sleep Duration | 40.5% | 43.0% | 37.3% | 2.5 pts better than state |
These rates are part of the CDC PLACES survey. Compare Kanawha County nationally on dental visit (past year).
Source: CDC PLACES, 2023 release · age-adjusted prevalence (%). Confidence intervals are available on individual rankings pages.
Data Story
Kanawha County Primary Care Provider Ratios Exceed National Medians
Health data brief for Kanawha County, West Virginia.
Kanawha County is most distinctive for its primary care provider ratio, which stands at 130 per 100,000 residents. This concentration is nearly double the national median of 70 per 100,000. The county also maintains 318 mental health providers per 100,000, exceeding the national median of 250. Despite these provider ratios, life expectancy in Kanawha County is 71.0 years, which is lower than the state average of 72.2 years and the national average of 77 years. The uninsured rate is 7.5%, nearly identical to the state average of 7.6% and lower than the national average of 10%. Additionally, 22.4% of residents report being in poor or fair health, compared to the national average of 17%. Explore state-level data.
Sources
- CDC County Health Rankings v2
- HHS NPPES
Get Care in Kanawha County, West Virginia
Direct contact information for hospitals and community health resources serving this county. Hospital quality ratings come from CMS Care Compare — the federal program that measures hospital performance on safety, patient experience, and outcomes.
Hospitals near you
Compare all on Medicare.gov →Charleston Area Medical Center
ERThomas Memorial Hospital
ERCamc Charleston Surgical Hospital
eHealth Insurance
Compare health insurance plans from top carriers for Kanawha County residents.
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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.