Where Black Sands residents get care
CDC publishes only some of its health estimates for Black Sands, not the seven a Health Grade needs; here is what we do have.
Modeled estimates for adults 18+, CDC’s own estimate for Black Sands. How CDC estimates town health
What stands out about health in Black Sands
COPD, heart disease and stroke run high in Black Sands
1 in 8 adults have COPD (12%), more than twice the Hawaii rate. 1 in 10 adults have heart disease (10.2%), vs 6.2% across Hawaii. Stroke is also above the state: 5.6%, vs 3.7% across Hawaii. In all, Black Sands runs above Hawaii on nine of 11 chronic conditions. Conditions ↓
Smoking is more common in Black Sands
1 in 4 adults smoke cigarettes (23.4%), about twice the Hawaii rate. Habits ↓
Making ends meet is harder in Black Sands
1 in 8 adults were threatened with a utility shut-off (12.5%), about twice the Hawaii rate. Food insecurity (29.2% vs 17.3%) and no reliable transportation (13.6% vs 7.5%) are higher too. 32.5% of adults receive SNAP, vs 12.2% statewide. Everyday needs ↓
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 Hawaii figure falls outside Black Sands’ likely range.
Out of every 100 Black Sands adults…
Black Sands runs above HI on 11 of 12 conditions. Tap one to see it as people.
Everyday habits, side by side with Hawaii
Share of adults, with the Hawaii figure marked.
0.7 miles of trails across 1 park or preserve
Making ends meet
Needs that shape health as much as any doctor visit: food, housing, utilities and a way to get around.
32.5% of Black Sands adults receive SNAP (food stamps), compared with 12.2% across Hawaii.
Care in and near Black Sands
No hospital or community health center in Black Sands 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 Black Sands; ≈ 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 Black Sands adults getting routine care. The full ring is 100%; the dark tick marks Hawaii.
How Black Sands adults are doing
On 2 of 4 measures, Black Sands runs above Hawaii.
3 in 10 Black Sands 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.
Black Sands 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 Black Sands adults live with a disability (Hawaii 28.7%). Walking or climbing stairs is the most common.
Questions about health in Black Sands
Why doesn’t Black Sands have a Health Grade?
Every Health Grade is built from seven of CDC’s PLACES estimates, and CDC doesn’t publish all seven for Black Sands.
What hospital is closest to Black Sands?
Hilo Benioff Medical Center in Hilo, 23.3 miles in a straight line from Black Sands’ center point, is the nearest general hospital with an emergency room. Medicare rates it 3 of 5 stars.
Where can I get low-cost care near Black Sands?
2 community health center sites are within 10 miles; the nearest is Pahoa Family Health Center in Pahoa, 5.7 miles away. They charge on a sliding scale by income.
Neighbors talk health
Doctors taking patients, urgent care, staying active in Black Sands.
Health estimates: CDC PLACES: Local Data for Better Health, 2025 release. The Hawaii 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.