Photo: Jeffrey Beall · CC BY 4.0Where Merino residents get care
CDC publishes only some of its health estimates for Merino, not the seven a Health Grade needs; here is what we do have.
Modeled estimates for adults 18+, CDC’s own estimate for Merino. How CDC estimates town health
What stands out about health in Merino
COPD, heart disease and stroke run high in Merino
1 in 13 adults have COPD (7.9%), vs 5.3% across Colorado. 1 in 15 adults have heart disease (6.8%), vs 5.1% across Colorado. Stroke is also above the state: 3.6%, vs 2.7% across Colorado. In all, Merino runs above Colorado on seven of 11 chronic conditions. Conditions ↓
Smoking is more common in Merino
1 in 6 adults smoke cigarettes (15.4%), vs 10.9% across Colorado. Habits ↓
In Merino, insurance isn’t the gap
Only 10.5% of working-age adults are uninsured (Colorado 11.1%), yet 18.9% say their health is fair or poor, vs 15.5% across the state. 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 Colorado figure falls outside Merino’s likely range.
Out of every 100 Merino adults…
Merino runs above CO on 8 of 12 conditions. Tap one to see it as people.
Everyday habits, side by side with Colorado
Share of adults, with the Colorado figure marked.
Walk with neighbors
The easiest exercise habit to keep is one with company.
Keeping up with care
Share of Merino adults getting routine care. The full ring is 100%; the dark tick marks Colorado.
Care in and near Merino
No hospital or community health center in Merino 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 Merino; ≈ 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 Merino adults are doing
On 1 of 2 measures, Merino runs above Colorado.
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.
Merino 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 Merino adults live with a disability (Colorado 27.1%). Thinking or memory is the most common.
Questions about health in Merino
Why doesn’t Merino have a Health Grade?
Every Health Grade is built from seven of CDC’s PLACES estimates, and CDC doesn’t publish all seven for Merino.
What hospital is closest to Merino?
Sterling Regional Medcenter in Sterling, 11.4 miles in a straight line from Merino’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 Merino.
Health estimates: CDC PLACES: Local Data for Better Health, 2025 release. The Colorado 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.