Photo: SaveRivers · CC BY-SA 3.0Where Gay residents get care
CDC publishes only some of its health estimates for Gay, not the seven a Health Grade needs; here is what we do have.
Modeled estimates for adults 18+, CDC’s own estimate for Gay. How CDC estimates town health
What stands out about health in Gay
COPD, cancer and arthritis run high in Gay
1 in 11 adults have COPD (9%), vs 6.5% across Georgia. 1 in 12 adults have had cancer (8.6%), vs 7% across Georgia. Arthritis is also above the state: 29.6%, vs 24.6% across Georgia. In all, Gay runs above Georgia on five of 11 chronic conditions. Conditions ↓
Depression is more common in Gay
1 in 4 adults have been diagnosed with depression (22.6%), vs 19% across Georgia. Frequent mental distress is above the state too: 18.7%, vs 16.9% across Georgia. Mind & connection ↓
Smoking is more common in Gay
1 in 5 adults smoke cigarettes (18.8%), vs 13.6% across Georgia. 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 Georgia figure falls outside Gay’s likely range.
Out of every 100 Gay adults…
Gay runs above GA on 8 of 12 conditions. Tap one to see it as people.
How Gay adults are doing
On 2 of 4 measures, Gay runs above Georgia.
4 in 10 Gay 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.
Everyday habits, side by side with Georgia
Share of adults, with the Georgia figure marked.
Walk with neighbors
The easiest exercise habit to keep is one with company.
Care in and near Gay
No hospital or community health center in Gay 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 Gay; ≈ 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).
Keeping up with care
Share of Gay adults getting routine care. The full ring is 100%; the dark tick marks Georgia.
Making ends meet
Needs that shape health as much as any doctor visit: food, housing, utilities and a way to get around.
13.5% of Gay adults receive SNAP (food stamps), compared with 14.2% across Georgia.
Gay 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 Gay adults live with a disability (Georgia 29.6%). Walking or climbing stairs is the most common.
Questions about health in Gay
Why doesn’t Gay have a Health Grade?
Every Health Grade is built from seven of CDC’s PLACES estimates, and CDC doesn’t publish all seven for Gay.
What hospital is closest to Gay?
Upson Regional Medical Center in Thomaston, 20.2 miles in a straight line from Gay’s center point, is the nearest general hospital with an emergency room. Medicare rates it 1 of 5 stars.
Neighbors talk health
Doctors taking patients, urgent care, staying active in Gay.
Health estimates: CDC PLACES: Local Data for Better Health, 2025 release. The Georgia 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.