Where Big Bend residents get care
CDC publishes only some of its health estimates for Big Bend, not the seven a Health Grade needs; here is what we do have.
Modeled estimates for adults 18+, CDC’s own estimate for Big Bend. How CDC estimates town health
What stands out about health in Big Bend
COPD, heart disease and cancer run high in Big Bend
1 in 10 adults have COPD (10.2%), about twice the California rate. 1 in 10 adults have heart disease (9.7%), vs 5.6% across California. Cancer is also above the state: 11%, vs 6.4% across California. In all, Big Bend runs above California on ten of 11 chronic conditions. Conditions ↓
Smoking is more common in Big Bend
1 in 6 adults smoke cigarettes (17.2%), vs 10.9% across California. Habits ↓
More high blood pressure in Big Bend, and more people treating it
42.7% of adults have high blood pressure (California 30.5%), but 76.7% of them take medicine for it, vs 71.3% statewide. Checkups ↓
The nearest ER is 26 miles from Big Bend
The closest emergency room is Mayers Memorial Hospital in Fall River Mills, 26.4 miles away in a straight line. For everyday care, Hill Country Community Clinic is closer (14.4 mi) and charges on a sliding scale. 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 California figure falls outside Big Bend’s likely range.
Out of every 100 Big Bend adults…
Big Bend runs above CA on 11 of 12 conditions. Tap one to see it as people.
Everyday habits, side by side with California
Share of adults, with the California figure marked.
Walk with neighbors
The easiest exercise habit to keep is one with company.
Keeping up with care
Share of Big Bend adults getting routine care. The full ring is 100%; the dark tick marks California.
Care in and near Big Bend
No hospital or community health center in Big Bend 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 Big Bend; ≈ 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 Big Bend adults are doing
On 2 of 4 measures, Big Bend runs above California.
1 in 3 Big Bend 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.
19% of Big Bend adults receive SNAP (food stamps), compared with 15.6% across California.
Big Bend 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 Big Bend adults live with a disability (California 30.4%). Walking or climbing stairs is the most common.
Questions about health in Big Bend
Why doesn’t Big Bend have a Health Grade?
Every Health Grade is built from seven of CDC’s PLACES estimates, and CDC doesn’t publish all seven for Big Bend.
What hospital is closest to Big Bend?
Mayers Memorial Hospital in Fall River Mills, 26.4 miles in a straight line from Big Bend’s center point, is the nearest general hospital with an emergency room. It has no Medicare star rating.
Neighbors talk health
Doctors taking patients, urgent care, staying active in Big Bend.
Health estimates: CDC PLACES: Local Data for Better Health, 2025 release. The California 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.