Where Ray residents get care
CDC publishes only some of its health estimates for Ray, not the seven a Health Grade needs; here is what we do have.
Modeled estimates for adults 18+, CDC’s own estimate for Ray. How CDC estimates town health
What stands out about health in Ray
COPD, stroke and arthritis run high in Ray
1 in 10 adults have COPD (10.1%), vs 8% across Alabama. 1 in 20 adults have had a stroke (5%), vs 4.1% across Alabama. Arthritis is also above the state: 36.7%, vs 30.3% across Alabama. In all, Ray runs above Alabama on five of 11 chronic conditions. Conditions ↓
Ray is short on primary care and mental health care
Ray’s county is a federal shortage area for primary 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 Alabama figure falls outside Ray’s likely range.
Out of every 100 Ray adults…
Ray runs above AL on 5 of 12 conditions. Tap one to see it as people.
Care in and near Ray
No hospital or community health center in Ray 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 Ray; ≈ 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).
Everyday habits, side by side with Alabama
Share of adults, with the Alabama figure marked.
Walk with neighbors
The easiest exercise habit to keep is one with company.
Keeping up with care
Share of Ray adults getting routine care. The full ring is 100%; the dark tick marks Alabama.
How Ray adults are doing
About the same as Alabama on each measure.
1 in 3 Ray 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.
13.7% of Ray adults receive SNAP (food stamps), compared with 14% across Alabama.
Ray and the towns around it
How health changes across the town line.
Health next door
| Town | Health | Obesity | Diabetes | Smoking | Figures from |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nixburg | — | — | — | — |
Nixburg: fewer than 1,000 residents. Same-state neighbors only, ordered by length of shared border.
Living with a disability
Shown without a better/worse judgment.
of Ray adults live with a disability (Alabama 36.5%). Walking or climbing stairs is the most common.
Questions about health in Ray
Why doesn’t Ray have a Health Grade?
Every Health Grade is built from seven of CDC’s PLACES estimates, and CDC doesn’t publish all seven for Ray.
What hospital is closest to Ray?
Russell Medical Center in Alexander City, 6.9 miles in a straight line from Ray’s center point, is the nearest general hospital with an emergency room. Medicare rates it 3 of 5 stars.
Neighbors talk health
Doctors taking patients, urgent care, staying active in Ray.
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.