Where Altoona residents get care
CDC publishes only some of its health estimates for Altoona, not the seven a Health Grade needs; here is what we do have.
Modeled estimates for adults 18+, CDC’s own estimate for Altoona. How CDC estimates town health
What stands out about health in Altoona
COPD, heart disease and stroke run high in Altoona
1 in 8 adults have COPD (12.3%), vs 8% across Alabama. 1 in 11 adults have heart disease (9.3%), vs 7.3% across Alabama. Stroke is also above the state: 5%, vs 4.1% across Alabama. In all, Altoona runs above Alabama on five of 11 chronic conditions. Conditions ↓
Smoking is more common in Altoona
1 in 5 adults smoke cigarettes (22%), vs 15.1% across Alabama. Habits ↓
Depression is more common in Altoona
3 in 10 adults have been diagnosed with depression (27.8%), vs 23.3% across Alabama. Frequent mental distress is above the state too: 20.1%, vs 17.2% across Alabama. Mind & connection ↓
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 Alabama figure falls outside Altoona’s likely range.
Out of every 100 Altoona adults…
Altoona runs above AL on 7 of 12 conditions. Tap one to see it as people.
Everyday habits, side by side with Alabama
Share of adults, with the Alabama figure marked.
0.7 miles of trails across 1 park or preserve
How Altoona adults are doing
On 2 of 4 measures, Altoona runs above Alabama.
4 in 10 Altoona 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.
Care in and near Altoona
No hospital or community health center in Altoona 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 Altoona; ≈ 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).
Keeping up with care
Share of Altoona adults getting routine care. The full ring is 100%; the dark tick marks Alabama.
Making ends meet
Needs that shape health as much as any doctor visit: food, housing, utilities and a way to get around.
18.7% of Altoona adults receive SNAP (food stamps), compared with 14% across Alabama.
Altoona 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 Altoona adults live with a disability (Alabama 36.5%). Walking or climbing stairs is the most common.
Questions about health in Altoona
Why doesn’t Altoona have a Health Grade?
Every Health Grade is built from seven of CDC’s PLACES estimates, and CDC doesn’t publish all seven for Altoona.
What hospital is closest to Altoona?
Marshall Medical Centers in Boaz, 15.0 miles in a straight line from Altoona’s center point, is the nearest general hospital with an emergency room. Medicare rates it 3 of 5 stars.
Where can I get low-cost care near Altoona?
2 community health center sites are within 10 miles; the nearest is W. T. Scruggs Medical Center in Walnut Grove, 1.8 miles away. They charge on a sliding scale by income.
Neighbors talk health
Doctors taking patients, urgent care, staying active in Altoona.
Health estimates: CDC PLACES: Local Data for Better Health, 2025 release. The Alabama 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.