Knox County, Tennessee has a growing population and is home to many local hospitals and medical facilities. The health of the people living in Knox County is of primary importance and local organizations are working hard to ensure all citizens have access to quality care. Local hospitals like the University of Tennessee Medical Center and Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center offer comprehensive care for both acute and chronic conditions. Other local medical facilities such as the Family Health Centers of East Tennessee provide primary care services, dental care, behavioral health services, substance abuse counseling, and more. Residents of Knox County also have access to community-based organizations that promote health education, offer preventative healthcare screenings, and provide support for those living with chronic illnesses. Through collaboration between these local organizations, Knox County has established a strong foundation for improved overall health in the community.
The health of a city has many different factors. It can refer to air quality, water quality, risk of getting respiratory disease or cancer. The people you live around can also affect your health as some places have lower or higher rates of physical activity, increased alcohol intake, smoking, obesity, and cancer rates.
Physicians per Capita
There are 350 physicians per 100,000 population in Knox County. The US average is 210 per 100,000 people.
Health Cost Index
The annual BestPlaces Health Cost Index for the Knox County area is 129.0 (lower=better). The US average is 100.
129.0 / 100
Example: 110 = 10% more expensive than national average.
Water Qualtiy Index
The annual BestPlaces Water Quality Index for the Knox County area is 60 (100=best). The US average is 55.
60 / 100
Note that this is a measure of Watershed quality, not the water that comes from your faucet. The EPA has stated that a healthy watershed is closely related to drinking water quality. The EPA has a complex method of measuring watershed quality using 15 indicators such as pH, chemicals, metals, and bacteria.
Superfund Index
The annual BestPlaces Superfund Index for the Knox County area is 93 (100=best). The US average is 87.
93 / 100
The EPA's Superfund program is responsible for cleaning up some of our nation's most contaminated land. Our index is based on the number of active Superfund sites (over 15,000 in the United States), with particular attention paid to those on the National Priorities List which pose the greatest health danger.
Quick Facts
Commuting can effect your health. The average person in Knox County commutes 21.9 minutes one-way, which is shorter than the US average of 26.4 minutes.
Air Quality Index
The annual BestPlaces Air Quality Index for the Knox County area is 48 (100=best). The US average is 58.
48 / 100
This is based on new measures of hazardous air pollutants from the EPA, called the National Air Toxics Assessment. This analysis models respiratory illness and cancer risk down to the zip code level, providing better detail and insight than the previous analysis based solely on results from air monitoring stations.