North Slope County

AlaskaFIPS 02185

Pop. 11,0310 HospitalsSVI 0.77RUCC 9 (Rural)PC HPSADental HPSAMH HPSA
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Hospital Desert

North Slope County has no hospital. Residents must travel to neighboring counties for hospital care.

Health Snapshot

MetricNorth Slope CountyState Avg 
Diabetes Prevalence10.7%10.1%
Adult Obesity40.7%34.3%
Uninsured Rate14.7%15.9%
PCPs per 10K3.611.6
Premature Death (YPLL)9,617.435

Source: County Health Rankings (2025)

Workforce Supply

5
Primary Care Physicians
47.2 per 100k
6
NPs & PAs
56.6 per 100k
7
Dentists
14
Hospital Beds
1.3 per 1,000
$26,685.09
Medicare Per Capita
2381.0%
Readmission Rate

Source: Area Health Resources File (AHRF) 2024-2025

CDC PLACES Health Indicators

IndicatorNorth Slope CountyState Avg 
Diabetes10.2%
Obesity42.8%
Depression18.9%
Frequent Mental Distress18.0%
COPD5.9%
Current Smoking22.0%
Heart Disease5.2%
Stroke3.0%
High Blood Pressure32.7%
Poor General Health21.3%
Disability31.4%
No Leisure Physical Activity24.2%
Binge Drinking21.0%
Uninsured12.2%

Source: CDC PLACES 2023-2024. Values are age-adjusted prevalence (%).

North Slope County has no hospital. 20 of Alaska's counties are hospital deserts.

See all hospital deserts in Alaska

Social Vulnerability Index

Overall0.77
Socioeconomic Status0.43
Household Composition & Disability0.46
Minority Status & Language0.96
Housing Type & Transportation0.99

Source: CDC/ATSDR SVI 2022. Score 0-1; higher = more vulnerable.

Health Professional Shortage Areas

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Primary Care
Designated Shortage Area
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Dental Health
Designated Shortage Area
!
Mental Health
Designated Shortage Area

Source: HRSA Bureau of Health Workforce

Nearest Hospitals

Since North Slope County has no hospital, residents travel to nearby facilities.

HospitalCountyBedsDistance
Samuel Simmonds Memorial Hospital10148.4 mi
Maniilaq Health Center17246.5 mi
Fairbanks Memorial HospitalFairbanks North Star162353.7 mi
Us Air Force HospFairbanks North Star20373.5 mi
Norton Sound Regional HospitalNome21441.8 mi

Related Pages

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Data from CMS Provider of Services, County Health Rankings, CDC Social Vulnerability Index, HRSA Bureau of Health Workforce, AHRF 2024-2025, CDC PLACES 2023-2024, and UNC Sheps Center. Last updated: 2026-03-11.