Harlem’s CDC health estimates rank near the bottom of U.S. towns
Harlem differs from Florida on 24 of 31 measures CDC estimates: 3 better, 21 worse.
Modeled estimates for adults 18+, CDC’s own estimate for Harlem. How CDC estimates town health
What stands out about health in Harlem
Making ends meet is harder in Harlem
43.7% of adults worry about having enough food, vs 16.8% across Florida (more than twice the Florida rate). Utility shut-off threats (23.8% vs 8.6%) and housing insecurity (34.1% vs 13.9%) are higher too. 48.8% of adults receive SNAP, vs 15% statewide. Everyday needs ↓
Dental care lags in Harlem
39% of adults saw a dentist this year, vs 57.4% across Florida. Among those 65 and older, 24.9% have lost all their teeth (Florida 12.7%). Checkups ↓
More Harlem adults get no exercise
2 in 5 adults get no exercise outside work (42.3%), vs 26.3% across Florida. 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 Florida figure falls outside Harlem’s likely range.
What’s behind Harlem’s grade
On seven CDC estimates for adults, Harlem is near the bottom of U.S. towns. All seven of Harlem’s estimates fall in the lowest 4% of U.S. towns. The furthest from typical is diabetes: 22.6% of adults, against 13.5% across Florida and 12% nationally.
Health estimates follow income closely across the country: towns with higher household incomes usually score higher (a correlation of 0.77 across 21,157 graded towns). Harlem’s median household income is $46,038; among the 4,362 U.S. towns within 25% of that ($35K–$58K), it’s healthier than 1%, so it sits below most towns with similar incomes, too.
Where Harlem compares well: cancer, other than skin cancer, 5.1% (U.S. 7.9%); binge drinking, 9.7% (U.S. 15.4%); checkup in the past year, 82.1% (U.S. 77.4%).
Making ends meet
Needs that shape health as much as any doctor visit: food, housing, utilities and a way to get around.
48.8% of Harlem adults receive SNAP (food stamps), compared with 15% across Florida.
Keeping up with care
Share of Harlem adults getting routine care. The full ring is 100%; the dark tick marks Florida.
Everyday habits, side by side with Florida
Share of adults, with the Florida figure marked.
Walk with neighbors
The easiest exercise habit to keep is one with company.
Out of every 100 Harlem adults…
Harlem runs below FL on 1 of 12 conditions and above it on 8. Tap one to see it as people.
Care in and near Harlem
No hospital or community health center in Harlem 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 Harlem; ≈ 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 Harlem adults are doing
On 2 of 3 measures, Harlem runs above Florida.
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.
Harlem and the towns around it
How health changes across the town line.
Health next door
| Town | Health | Obesity | Diabetes | Smoking | Figures from |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harlem | D− | 46.1% | 22.6% | 22.4% | CDC place |
Same-state neighbors only, ordered by length of shared border.
Living with a disability
Shown without a better/worse judgment.
of Harlem adults live with a disability (Florida 31.3%). Walking or climbing stairs is the most common.
Every CDC estimate for Harlem
Share of adults, 39 measures, with CDC’s likely range.
On the 31 measures below that have a better and a worse direction, Harlem is better than Florida on 3 and worse on 21; on the rest, the Florida figure falls inside Harlem’s likely range, so we call them about the same. Disability and SNAP are described, not compared as better or worse.
| Adults who… | Harlem | FL | U.S. | vs FL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall health | ||||
| Fair or poor health | 36.1%31.1–41 | 20.3% | 19.4% | Worse |
| Frequent physical distress (physical health not good 14+ days a month) | 19.7%17.1–22.4 | 14.3% | 13% | Worse |
| Frequent mental distress (mental health not good 14+ days a month) | 21.8%19.3–24.4 | 15.8% | 15.9% | Worse |
| Conditions | ||||
| Obesity | 46.1%39.2–53 | 31.9% | 32.9% | Worse |
| Diabetes | 22.6%20–25.2 | 13.5% | 12% | Worse |
| High blood pressure | 50.8%46.8–54.8 | 36.6% | 34.4% | Worse |
| High cholesterol (adults screened in 5 years) | 35.7%31.7–39.7 | 39% | 37.1% | About the same |
| Arthritis | 28.8%25.7–32 | 26.6% | 25.3% | About the same |
| Asthma | 13.3%11.7–14.9 | 9.4% | 9.9% | Worse |
| Cancer, other than skin cancer | 5.1%4.5–5.7 | 9.1% | 7.9% | Better |
| Coronary heart disease | 8.8%7.8–10 | 7.5% | 6.4% | Worse |
| COPD | 11.3%9.5–13 | 7.2% | 6.3% | Worse |
| Stroke | 6.8%6–7.7 | 3.8% | 3.4% | Worse |
| Lost all teeth (ages 65+) | 24.9%21–29.4 | 12.7% | 12.3% | Worse |
| Habits | ||||
| Smoke cigarettes | 22.4%18.6–26.1 | 12.4% | 11.8% | Worse |
| No exercise outside work | 42.3%36.5–48 | 26.3% | 24.7% | Worse |
| Binge drinking | 9.7%7.8–11.9 | 14.6% | 15.4% | Better |
| Sleep under 7 hours | 52.2%45.5–58.8 | 37.3% | 36% | Worse |
| Checkups and coverage | ||||
| No health insurance (ages 18–64) | 19.7%15.4–24.7 | 15.9% | 11% | About the same |
| Checkup in the past year | 82.1%78.9–85.2 | 78.4% | 77.4% | Better |
| Dentist visit in the past year | 39%35.5–42.6 | 57.4% | 63.2% | Worse |
| Cholesterol check in 5 years | 83.4%80.5–85.9 | 87% | 87.1% | Worse |
| Taking blood pressure medicine (adults with high blood pressure) | 79.8%77.4–82.1 | 78.4% | 76.5% | About the same |
| Colorectal cancer screening (ages 45–75) | 61.9%56.5–67.2 | 65.7% | 65.5% | About the same |
| Mammogram in 2 years (women 50–74) | 71.3%63.2–78.6 | 76.1% | 76.4% | About the same |
| Mind and connection | ||||
| Ever told they have depression | 15.9%13.3–18.7 | 17.1% | 20.6% | About the same |
| Lack social and emotional support | 36.5%32.3–40.7 | 24.7% | 23.6% | Worse |
| Everyday needs | ||||
| Worried about having enough food | 43.7%40.7–46.8 | 16.8% | 15% | Worse |
| Worried about keeping housing | 34.1%31.2–37.2 | 13.9% | 12% | Worse |
| Threatened with a utility shut-off | 23.8%21.4–26.4 | 8.6% | 7.6% | Worse |
| Lack reliable transportation | 21.6%19.9–23.5 | 9.1% | 7.9% | Worse |
| Received SNAP (food stamps) | 48.8%45.7–51.9 | 15% | 11.6% | Higher |
| Disability | ||||
| Any disability | 43.4%38.1–48.6 | 31.3% | 30.1% | Higher |
| Difficulty walking or climbing stairs | 26.2%22.5–29.6 | 15.1% | 13.6% | Higher |
| Difficulty concentrating or remembering | 21.4%18.2–24.6 | 13.7% | 13.9% | Higher |
| Hearing difficulty | 6%5.3–6.9 | 7.6% | 6.7% | Lower |
| Vision difficulty | 12.5%10.8–14.3 | 6% | 5.4% | Higher |
| Difficulty doing errands alone | 15.8%13.4–18.2 | 8% | 7.9% | Higher |
| Difficulty dressing or bathing | 9.4%7.9–10.9 | 4.1% | 3.8% | Higher |
Each figure is the share of adults 18+ unless the label says otherwise; small numbers after it are CDC’s likely range (95% interval). “About the same” means the Florida figure falls inside that range.
Questions about health in Harlem
Is Harlem a healthy place to live?
On seven CDC estimates for adults, Harlem is near the bottom of U.S. towns: D− for health. Among U.S. towns with similar household incomes it’s healthier than 1%. These are modeled estimates of who lives there, not a measure of local care or habits alone.
What is the obesity rate in Harlem?
CDC estimates 46.1% of adults have obesity, likely between 39.2% and 53%, against 31.9% across Florida and 32.9% nationally.
What hospital is closest to Harlem?
Hendry Regional Medical Center in Clewiston, 1.6 miles in a straight line from Harlem’s center point, is the nearest general hospital with an emergency room; it has no Medicare star rating.
How many people in Harlem have no health insurance?
CDC estimates 19.7% of adults ages 18–64 have no health insurance (likely 15.4–24.7%), against 15.9% across Florida.
How accurate are these numbers?
They’re modeled estimates: CDC applies national survey answers to each area’s age, sex, race and education mix, so they describe who lives in Harlem more than anything measured there. At the ends of CDC’s ranges the grade could be anywhere from D− to D.
Neighbors talk health
Doctors taking patients, urgent care, staying active in Harlem.
Health estimates: CDC PLACES: Local Data for Better Health, 2025 release. The Florida figure combines its counties, weighted by adult population. Hospitals and star ratings: Medicare Care Compare (CMS). Health centers and shortage areas: HRSA. The Health Grade is our own summary of CDC’s estimates, not an official rating. 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.