Photo: Jared Winkler · CC BY-SA 4.0Where Defiance residents get care
CDC publishes only some of its health estimates for Defiance, not the seven a Health Grade needs; here is what we do have.
Modeled estimates for adults 18+, CDC’s own estimate for Defiance. How CDC estimates town health
What stands out about health in Defiance
Cancer, heart disease and arthritis run high in Defiance
1 in 8 adults have had cancer (11.8%), vs 8.7% across Iowa. 1 in 12 adults have heart disease (8.3%), vs 6.6% across Iowa. Arthritis is also above the state: 33.5%, vs 27% across Iowa. In all, Defiance runs above Iowa on six of 11 chronic conditions. Conditions ↓
More high blood pressure in Defiance, and more people treating it
39.8% of adults have high blood pressure (Iowa 33.9%), but 83.3% of them take medicine for it, vs 77.8% statewide. Checkups ↓
Defiance keeps up with checkups
It beats Iowa on four of five routine checkups and screenings, including yearly checkups (81.1% vs 77.5%) and dentist visits (73.3% vs 66.8%). Checkups ↓
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 Defiance’s likely range.
Out of every 100 Defiance adults…
Defiance runs above IA on 6 of 12 conditions. Tap one to see it as people.
Keeping up with care
Share of Defiance adults getting routine care. The full ring is 100%; the dark tick marks Iowa.
Care in and near Defiance
No hospital or community health center in Defiance 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 Defiance; ≈ 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 Defiance adults are doing
On 1 of 4 measures, Defiance does better than Iowa.
3 in 10 Defiance 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.
6.9% of Defiance adults receive SNAP (food stamps), compared with 10% across Iowa.
Defiance 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 Defiance adults live with a disability (Iowa 28.1%). Walking or climbing stairs is the most common.
Questions about health in Defiance
Why doesn’t Defiance have a Health Grade?
Every Health Grade is built from seven of CDC’s PLACES estimates, and CDC doesn’t publish all seven for Defiance.
What hospital is closest to Defiance?
Myrtue Medical Center in Harlan, 12.3 miles in a straight line from Defiance’s center point, is the nearest general hospital with an emergency room. Medicare rates it 3 of 5 stars.
Neighbors talk health
Doctors taking patients, urgent care, staying active in Defiance.
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.