Where Curlew residents get care
CDC publishes only some of its health estimates for Curlew, not the seven a Health Grade needs; here is what we do have.
Modeled estimates for adults 18+, from ZIP code 50527. How CDC estimates town health
What stands out about health in Curlew
Heart disease, stroke and cancer run high in Curlew
1 in 11 adults have heart disease (8.8%), vs 6.6% across Iowa. 1 in 24 adults have had a stroke (4.1%), vs 3.3% across Iowa. Cancer is also above the state: 10.8%, vs 8.7% across Iowa. In all, Curlew runs above Iowa on seven of 11 chronic conditions. Conditions ↓
More high blood pressure in Curlew, and more people treating it
41.1% of adults have high blood pressure (Iowa 33.9%), but 81.7% of them take medicine for it, vs 77.8% statewide. Checkups ↓
Curlew is short on dental care and mental health care
Curlew’s county is a federal shortage area for dental 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 Curlew’s likely range; Curlew’s figures come from ZIP code 50527, which may reach past town lines.
Out of every 100 Curlew adults…
Curlew runs above IA on 7 of 12 conditions. Tap one to see it as people.
Keeping up with care
Share of Curlew adults getting routine care. The full ring is 100%; the dark tick marks Iowa.
Care in and near Curlew
No hospital or community health center in Curlew 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 Curlew; ≈ 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.
Walk with neighbors
The easiest exercise habit to keep is one with company.
How Curlew adults are doing
About the same as Iowa on each measure.
3 in 10 Curlew 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.
8.7% of Curlew adults receive SNAP (food stamps), compared with 10% across Iowa.
Curlew 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 Curlew adults live with a disability (Iowa 28.1%). Walking or climbing stairs is the most common.
Questions about health in Curlew
Why doesn’t Curlew have a Health Grade?
Every Health Grade is built from seven of CDC’s PLACES estimates, and CDC doesn’t publish all seven for Curlew.
What hospital is closest to Curlew?
Palo Alto County Hospital in Emmetsburg, 9.9 miles in a straight line from Curlew’s center point, is the nearest general hospital with an emergency room. It has no Medicare star rating.
Neighbors talk health
Doctors taking patients, urgent care, staying active in Curlew.
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.