Photo: JKBrooks85 · Public domainWhere Central residents get care
CDC publishes only some of its health estimates for Central, not the seven a Health Grade needs; here is what we do have.
Modeled estimates for adults 18+, CDC’s own estimate for Central. How CDC estimates town health
What stands out about health in Central
Heart disease, COPD and stroke run high in Central
1 in 6 adults have heart disease (16.2%), 3 times the Alaska rate. 1 in 6 adults have COPD (17%), 3 times the Alaska rate. Stroke is also above the state: 7.9%, vs 3.1% across Alaska. In all, Central runs above Alaska on eight of 11 chronic conditions. Conditions ↓
More Central adults get no exercise
1 in 3 adults get no exercise outside work (33.4%), vs 21.7% across Alaska. There are 28 miles of trails across 1 park or preserve in town, a place to start. Habits ↓
More high blood pressure in Central, and more people treating it
55.6% of adults have high blood pressure (Alaska 32.5%), but 81.8% of them take medicine for it, vs 68% statewide. Checkups ↓
Central is short on dental care and mental health care
Central’s county is a federal shortage area for dental care and mental health care, meaning too few providers for the people who live there. Getting care ↓
Written from the CDC, Medicare and HRSA data on this page. CDC PLACES 2025 release: modeled estimates for adults, not counts; “higher” and “lower” mean the Alaska figure falls outside Central’s likely range.
Out of every 100 Central adults…
Central runs above AK on 9 of 12 conditions. Tap one to see it as people.
Everyday habits, side by side with Alaska
Share of adults, with the Alaska figure marked.
28 miles of trails across 1 park or preserve
Keeping up with care
Share of Central adults getting routine care. The full ring is 100%; the dark tick marks Alaska.
Care in and near Central
No hospital or community health center in Central itself. These are the nearest.
Hospitals: Medicare overall star ratings, 1–5. Community health centers charge on a sliding scale by income. Distances are straight-line from the center of Central; ≈ marks a hospital located by its town, not its street. Shortage areas: HRSA Health Professional Shortage Areas (a “population” designation covers specific residents, such as those with low incomes).
How Central adults are doing
About the same as Alaska on each measure.
3 in 10 Central adults feel lonely. A hello is a start.
Groups are the easiest way in: a walking group, a book club, your street.
If you or someone you know is struggling, call or text 988, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. It’s free, confidential and open 24/7.
Making ends meet
Needs that shape health as much as any doctor visit: food, housing, utilities and a way to get around.
18.2% of Central adults receive SNAP (food stamps), compared with 10.1% across Alaska.
Central and the towns around it
How health changes across the town line.
Health next door
| Town | Health | Obesity | Diabetes | Smoking | Figures from |
|---|
Same-state neighbors only, ordered by length of shared border.
Living with a disability
Shown without a better/worse judgment.
of Central adults live with a disability (Alaska 29.6%). Walking or climbing stairs is the most common.
Questions about health in Central
Why doesn’t Central have a Health Grade?
Every Health Grade is built from seven of CDC’s PLACES estimates, and CDC doesn’t publish all seven for Central.
Neighbors talk health
Doctors taking patients, urgent care, staying active in Central.
Health estimates: CDC PLACES: Local Data for Better Health, 2025 release. The Alaska figure combines its counties, weighted by adult population. Hospitals and star ratings: Medicare Care Compare (CMS). Health centers and shortage areas: HRSA. Ages: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey. Town boundaries: U.S. Census Bureau. This page isn’t medical advice. In an emergency, call 911.