McDowell County Health Data
McDowell County, West Virginia
CDC County Health RankingsHealth Score
15/100
Below Avg
Life Expectancy
65.1 yr
Uninsured Rate
10.4%
Health Statistics
Life Expectancy
65.1 yr
State avg 72.2 yr
National avg 77.5 yr
Uninsured Rate
10.4%
State avg 7.6%
National avg 9%
Primary Care Providers
27
per 100K population
National avg 82
Mental Health Providers
46
per 100K population
National avg 350
Poor / Fair Health
33.6%
State avg 24.7%
National avg 19.6%
Healthcare Access
Primary Care Physicians
16.3
per 100K residentsCDC: 27.2 per 100K
Dentists
5.4
per 100K residents
Nurse Practitioners & PAs
21.7
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 McDowell County differs most from state and national norms.
Most prevalent chronic conditions
| Measure | McDowell | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity | 46.1% | 41.3% | 37.6% | 4.8 pts worse than state |
| Diabetes | 17.4% | 13.2% | 11.2% | 4.2 pts worse than state |
| High Blood Pressure | 44.6% | 39.0% | 33.5% | 5.6 pts worse than state |
| Depression | 32.6% | 32.4% | 24.1% | near state average |
Health-risk behaviors
| Measure | McDowell | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Current Cigarette Smoking | 29.3% | 21.4% | 16.3% | 7.9 pts worse than state |
| Binge Drinking | 14.3% | 16.0% | 17.8% | 1.7 pts better than state |
| Physical Inactivity | 42.6% | 32.6% | 27.0% | 10.0 pts worse than state |
Preventive-care uptake
| Measure | McDowell | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Routine Checkup | 76.9% | 77.9% | 74.9% | 1.0 pts worse than state |
| Dental Visit (past year) | 40.7% | 52.1% | 57.3% | 11.4 pts worse than state |
| Mammography (women 50–74) | 69.8% | 74.4% | 73.3% | 4.6 pts worse than state |
Daily-life impact
| Measure | McDowell | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frequent Mental Distress | 26.0% | 23.4% | 18.6% | 2.6 pts worse than state |
| Short Sleep Duration | 47.5% | 43.0% | 37.3% | 4.5 pts worse than state |
These rates are part of the CDC PLACES survey. Compare McDowell 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
McDowell County life expectancy trails state and national marks
Health data brief for McDowell County, West Virginia.
McDowell County records a life expectancy of 65.1 years, which is shorter than the West Virginia state average of 72.2 years and significantly lower than the national average of 77 years. For health coverage, 10.4% of residents are uninsured, a rate that is higher than the state average of 7.6% and the national rate of 10%. Reports of poor or fair health include 33.6% of the population, which is higher than the national average of 17%. Clinical access metrics show 27 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, compared to a national median of 70 per 100,000. Additionally, the county has 46 mental health providers per 100,000 residents, lower than the national median of 250 per 100,000. See the CDC County Health Rankings methodology.
Sources
- CDC County Health Rankings v2
- HHS NPPES
Get Care in McDowell 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 →Welch Community Hospital
EReHealth Insurance
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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.