Where Birmingham residents get care
CDC publishes only some of its health estimates for Birmingham, not the seven a Health Grade needs; here is what we do have.
Modeled estimates for adults 18+, CDC’s own estimate for Birmingham. How CDC estimates town health
What stands out about health in Birmingham
COPD, stroke and heart disease run high in Birmingham
1 in 11 adults have COPD (9.4%), vs 6.9% across Iowa. 1 in 24 adults have had a stroke (4.2%), vs 3.3% across Iowa. Heart disease is also above the state: 8.2%, vs 6.6% across Iowa. In all, Birmingham runs above Iowa on seven of 11 chronic conditions. Conditions ↓
Dental care lags in Birmingham
60.2% of adults saw a dentist this year, vs 66.8% across Iowa. Among those 65 and older, 15.7% have lost all their teeth (Iowa 11.6%). Checkups ↓
More high blood pressure in Birmingham, and more people treating it
39.8% of adults have high blood pressure (Iowa 33.9%), but 80.9% of them take medicine for it, vs 77.8% statewide. Checkups ↓
Birmingham is short on primary care and mental health care
Birmingham’s county is a federal shortage area for primary care and mental health care, meaning too few providers for the people who live there. 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 Iowa figure falls outside Birmingham’s likely range.
Out of every 100 Birmingham adults…
Birmingham runs above IA on 8 of 12 conditions. Tap one to see it as people.
Keeping up with care
Share of Birmingham adults getting routine care. The full ring is 100%; the dark tick marks Iowa.
Care in and near Birmingham
No hospital or community health center in Birmingham 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 Birmingham; ≈ 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).
Everyday habits, side by side with Iowa
Share of adults, with the Iowa figure marked.
0 miles of trails across 1 park or preserve
How Birmingham adults are doing
About the same as Iowa on each measure.
1 in 3 Birmingham 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.
11.7% of Birmingham adults receive SNAP (food stamps), compared with 10% across Iowa.
Birmingham 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 Birmingham adults live with a disability (Iowa 28.1%). Walking or climbing stairs is the most common.
Questions about health in Birmingham
Why doesn’t Birmingham have a Health Grade?
Every Health Grade is built from seven of CDC’s PLACES estimates, and CDC doesn’t publish all seven for Birmingham.
What hospital is closest to Birmingham?
Jefferson County Health Center in Fairfield, 7.5 miles in a straight line from Birmingham’s center point, is the nearest general hospital with an emergency room. Medicare rates it 2 of 5 stars.
Where can I get low-cost care near Birmingham?
1 community health center sites are within 10 miles; the nearest is Rhchc - Jefferson County Clinic in Fairfield, 7.5 miles away. They charge on a sliding scale by income.
Neighbors talk health
Doctors taking patients, urgent care, staying active in Birmingham.
Health estimates: CDC PLACES: Local Data for Better Health, 2025 release. The Iowa 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.