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Russell JailRussell Jail · Photo: Ldklotz · CC BY-SA 3.0
–Not graded
Health in Russell · CDC PLACES 2025

Where Russell residents get care

CDC publishes only some of its health estimates for Russell, not the seven a Health Grade needs; here is what we do have.

Modeled estimates for adults 18+, CDC’s own estimate for Russell. How CDC estimates town health

What stands out · In brief

What stands out about health in Russell

COPD, stroke and arthritis run high in Russell

1 in 8 adults have COPD (13.3%), vs 8.6% across Arkansas. 1 in 19 adults have had a stroke (5.4%), vs 4% across Arkansas. Arthritis is also above the state: 38.2%, vs 28.5% across Arkansas. In all, Russell runs above Arkansas on seven of 11 chronic conditions. Conditions ↓

In Russell, insurance isn’t the gap

Only 11.1% of working-age adults are uninsured (Arkansas 11.3%), yet 30.1% say their health is fair or poor, vs 24.4% across the state. Checkups ↓

More Russell adults get no exercise

2 in 5 adults get no exercise outside work (39.2%), vs 32.1% across Arkansas. Habits ↓

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 Russell’s likely range.

★ What stands out · Chronic conditions

Out of every 100 Russell adults…

Russell runs above AR on 9 of 12 conditions. Tap one to see it as people.

13 of every 100 Russell adults have COPD
Arkansas: 9 in 100 · worse · likely 11.1–15.7%
Better than ARWorseAbout the sameArkansas
Checkups & screenings

Keeping up with care

Share of Russell adults getting routine care. The full ring is 100%; the dark tick marks Arkansas.

80%Yearly checkupAR 79%
51%Dentist visitAR 55%
85%Cholesterol checkAR 85%
67%Colon screeningAR 62%
66%MammogramAR 71%
82%Taking BP medsAR 77%
1 in 9
working-age adults has no health insurance
Russell 11.1% · Arkansas 1 in 9 (11.3%)
Habits

Everyday habits, side by side with Arkansas

Share of adults, with the Arkansas figure marked.

Get no exercise 39.2%AR 32.1%
Sleep under 7 hours 36.6%AR 38.1%
Binge drink 11.8%AR 14.6%
Smoke cigarettes 20.4%AR 15.8%
0%10%20%30%40%
Russell, betterRussell, worseAbout the sameArkansas
Where Russell gets moving

Walk with neighbors

The easiest exercise habit to keep is one with company.

Getting care

Care in and near Russell

No hospital or community health center in Russell itself. These are the nearest.

HNearest ERWhite County Medical CenterSearcy · 13.1 miDirections →
★Best rated nearbyWhite County Medical Center★★★★★ · 13.1 miDirections →
+Low-cost careArcareBald Knob · 3.7 mi · sliding-scale feesDirections →
3.7 mi
Arcare
8 sites · nearest in Bald Knob
Sliding-scale fees
Directions to nearest
13.1 mi
White County Medical Center
Searcy · ★★★★★
ER
21.9 mi
Unity Health - Newport
Newport · not rated
ERRural critical access
27.6 mi
Baptist Health Medical Center Heber Springs
Heber Springs · ★★★★★
ERRural critical access
≈28.8 mi
White River Medical Center
Batesville · ★★★★★
ER
✓ Primary careNo HRSA shortage area covers Russell itself
✓ Dental careNo HRSA shortage area covers Russell itself
✓ Mental healthNo HRSA shortage area covers Russell itself

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 Russell; ≈ 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).

Mind & connection

How Russell adults are doing

About the same as Arkansas on each measure.

1 in 3Russell adults feel lonely
32.5% · AR 34.2% · About the same as AR
1 in 4Russell adults lack social or emotional support
25.4% · AR 27% · About the same as AR
1 in 4Russell adults have been diagnosed with depression
27.4% · AR 24.6% · About the same as AR
1 in 5Russell adults are in frequent mental distress
20.1% · AR 18.5% · About the same as AR
The one neighbors can help with

1 in 3 Russell adults feel lonely. A hello is a start.

Groups are the easiest way in: a walking group, a book club, your street.

Find a group →

If you or someone you know is struggling, call or text 988, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. It’s free, confidential and open 24/7.

Everyday needs

Making ends meet

Needs that shape health as much as any doctor visit: food, housing, utilities and a way to get around.

1 in 5
Russell adults worry about having enough food
22% · AR 18.5%
About the same as AR
1 in 7
Russell adults worry about keeping their housing
13.6% · AR 14.4%
About the same as AR
1 in 10
Russell adults were threatened with a utility shut-off
10.5% · AR 10.4%
About the same as AR
1 in 10
Russell adults lack reliable transportation
10.4% · AR 9.7%
About the same as AR

14.7% of Russell adults receive SNAP (food stamps), compared with 11.6% across Arkansas.

Around town

Russell and the towns around it

How health changes across the town line.

Health next door

TownHealthObesityDiabetesSmokingFigures from

Same-state neighbors only, ordered by length of shared border.

Disability

Living with a disability

Shown without a better/worse judgment.

46.8%

of Russell adults live with a disability (Arkansas 38.2%). Walking or climbing stairs is the most common.

Walking or climbing stairs24.6%
Thinking or memory21%
Hearing11.3%
Errands alone13%
Vision8.1%
Dressing or bathing6.2%
Arkansas

Questions about health in Russell

Why doesn’t Russell have a Health Grade?

Every Health Grade is built from seven of CDC’s PLACES estimates, and CDC doesn’t publish all seven for Russell.

What hospital is closest to Russell?

White County Medical Center in Searcy, 13.1 miles in a straight line from Russell’s center point, is the nearest general hospital with an emergency room. Medicare rates it 2 of 5 stars.

Where can I get low-cost care near Russell?

7 community health center sites are within 10 miles; the nearest is Arcare-16 in Bald Knob, 3.7 miles away. They charge on a sliding scale by income.

Neighbors talk health

Doctors taking patients, urgent care, staying active in Russell.

Town Square →
Ask your neighbors

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.