Critical factors in human health include access to health care, preventative care, and lifestyle. In Lancaster County, most residents under age 65 have health insurance, most mothers receive prenatal care, but many are overweight or obese which can put a person at greater risk for a wide variety of health problems.

In 2018, 12% of Lancaster County residents under age 65 were uninsured. This was higher than both the statewide and national rates of 7% and 10% respectively.

In 2019, rates of prenatal care in Lancaster County were highest among Asian births (85%) followed by Hispanic births (77%), African American births (73%), and white births (67%). Lancaster rates of prenatal care were higher than the state rates for all populations, with the exception of whites, which was 11 percentage points lower than the state rate. Since 2007, the rates among African Americans and Hispanics increased 16 and 15 points respectively.

In 2016-18, 69% of residents in Lancaster County were either overweight or obese, which was higher than the state and nation (both at 66%). The counties’ percentage was up 3 percentage points from 2011-13. The percentage of overweight and obese residents in Lancaster County in 2016-18 was higher than in all the comparison counties, with the exception of Berks/Schuylkill at 73%.

Residents’ current health level is as important as their access to healthcare. In Lancaster County, 18% of residents report being in fair or poor health, indicating that the majority of residents perceived their overall health as good, very good, or even excellent.

In 2018, Lancaster County's overall mortality rate was 672 per 100,000 residents, a decrease of 16% since 2000 and lower than the state rate.

However, Lancaster County’s mortality rate due to fatal drug poisonings (23 per 100,000 residents) increased 475% since 2000.

In other areas of health including mental illness, Lancaster County closely mirrors the state and surrounding counties:

• In 2016-18, 4.3% of Lancaster County residents 18 and over reported mental illness, similar to the rate in 2014-16 of 4.6%. The state rate was 4.4% in 2016-18.
• In 2015-17, Lancaster County's cancer incidence rate was 45 per 10,000 residents, slightly lower than the state with 47 per 10,000.