Photo: gregwest98 · CC BY-SA 2.0Where Reader residents get care
CDC publishes only some of its health estimates for Reader, not the seven a Health Grade needs; here is what we do have.
Modeled estimates for adults 18+, from ZIP codes 71726, 71857. How CDC estimates town health
What stands out about health in Reader
Stroke, diabetes and heart disease run high in Reader
1 in 17 adults have had a stroke (5.8%), vs 4% across Arkansas. 1 in 5 adults have diabetes (18.8%), vs 13.3% across Arkansas. Heart disease is also above the state: 10.7%, vs 7.7% across Arkansas. In all, Reader runs above Arkansas on eight of 11 chronic conditions. Conditions ↓
More high blood pressure in Reader, and more people treating it
52.5% of adults have high blood pressure (Arkansas 41.4%), but 83.4% of them take medicine for it, vs 76.9% statewide. Checkups ↓
Reader keeps up with checkups
It beats Arkansas on three of five routine checkups and screenings, including yearly checkups (83.6% vs 79%) and cholesterol checks (88.6% vs 84.8%). Checkups ↓
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 Arkansas figure falls outside Reader’s likely range; Reader’s figures come from ZIP codes 71726, 71857, which may reach past town lines.
Out of every 100 Reader adults…
Reader runs above AR on 8 of 12 conditions. Tap one to see it as people.
Keeping up with care
Share of Reader adults getting routine care. The full ring is 100%; the dark tick marks Arkansas.
Care in and near Reader
No hospital or community health center in Reader 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 Reader; ≈ 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 Arkansas
Share of adults, with the Arkansas figure marked.
Walk with neighbors
The easiest exercise habit to keep is one with company.
How Reader adults are doing
About the same as Arkansas on each measure.
1 in 3 Reader 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.
13.9% of Reader adults receive SNAP (food stamps), compared with 11.6% across Arkansas.
Reader 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 Reader adults live with a disability (Arkansas 38.2%). Walking or climbing stairs is the most common.
Questions about health in Reader
Why doesn’t Reader have a Health Grade?
Every Health Grade is built from seven of CDC’s PLACES estimates, and CDC doesn’t publish all seven for Reader.
What hospital is closest to Reader?
Ouachita County Medical Center in Camden, 19.6 miles in a straight line from Reader’s center point, is the nearest general hospital with an emergency room. Medicare rates it 2 of 5 stars.
Neighbors talk health
Doctors taking patients, urgent care, staying active in Reader.
Health estimates: CDC PLACES: Local Data for Better Health, 2025 release. The Arkansas 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.