Attorney Shomari Figures (left) won the Democratic nomination for the 2nd Congressional District in a runoff on Tuesday. Attorney Caroleene Dobson (right) won the Republican nomination for the seat. The candidates will face each other in November. (Left: Stew Milne for Alabama Reflector: Right: Caroleene Dobson Campaign)
Democratic candidate Shomari Figures and Republican candidate Caroleene Dobson have different ideas on improving health in Alabama’s 2nd Congressional District, which encompasses a region marked by some of the worst health outcomes in the nation.
Nearly every county in the district, mainly in the Black Belt region, has fewer physicians than the state average. According to County Health Rankings , Alabama averaged one primary care physician for every 1,570 residents in 2021. In Washington, it’s one for every 15,150 residents. In Russell, it’s one for every 5,870 residents.
Life expectancy is also lower in the region than across Alabama overall (73.7 years). Conecuh County residents have a life expectancy of 69.5 years, over four fewer years than the state average.