Maverick County Facing Significant Health and Quality of Life Challenges

By Jose G. Landa, Copyright 2025 Eagle Pass Business Journal, Inc.

Maverick County is faring worse than the average county in Texas and the nation in the conditions that influence residents’ health and quality of life, according to the 2025 County Health Rankings and Roadmaps.

Behind that assessment are significant disparities in health care access, poverty, education, insurance coverage and opportunities for physical activity.

The finding that Maverick County is faring worse than the average Texas and U.S. county comes directly from County Health Rankings and Roadmaps’ assessment of “Community Conditions.”

Community conditions, sometimes called social determinants of health, include the social and economic factors, physical environment and health infrastructure in which people are born, live, learn, work and age.

Access to health care is among the most pronounced challenges identified in the report.

Maverick County had approximately one primary care physician for every 3,860 residents, compared with one for every 1,640 residents statewide.

The disparity was even greater for mental health services, with one mental health provider for every 2,940 residents locally compared with one for every 550 residents across Texas.

Approximately 24% of Maverick County residents were uninsured, compared with 19% statewide.

Mammography screening stood at only 19% locally compared with 42% across Texas.

Access to opportunities for physical activity also lagged behind the state. Only 60% of Maverick County residents had access to exercise opportunities, compared with 82% statewide.

The county’s Food Environment Index was 4.9 compared with 5.7 for Texas.

Economic and educational conditions showed additional disparities.

Maverick County’s unemployment rate was 7.9% compared with 4.1% statewide, while 29% of local children lived in poverty compared with 18% across Texas.

High school completion stood at 68% in Maverick County compared to 86% statewide, while 52% had some college education compared with 65% across Texas.

Housing and infrastructure presented additional concerns.

Approximately 24% of residents experienced severe housing problems, compared with 18% statewide, while broadband access reached 81% locally compared with 91% across Texas.

Not every indicator was negative.
Maverick County recorded 50 injury deaths per 100,000 residents compared with 69 statewide, while 19% of residents who drove alone experienced long commutes compared with 39% statewide.
Air particulate pollution was also slightly lower locally.

The findings are particularly important when considered alongside Maverick County’s chronic health challenges, including high rates of diabetes and obesity.

County Health Rankings emphasizes that health is influenced by more than medical treatment.

Employment, education, income, housing, access to nutritious food, opportunities for exercise and availability of health professionals can all influence a person’s health and longevity.

Taken together, the 2025 findings suggest that improving health outcomes in Maverick County will require more than treating illness after it develops.

Addressing poverty, education, access to physicians and mental health professionals, preventive screenings, exercise opportunities, insurance coverage and housing are among the broader community conditions that could play a role in improving the long-term health and quality of life of Maverick County residents.