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–Not graded
Health in Laurel · CDC PLACES 2025

Where Laurel residents get care

CDC publishes only some of its health estimates for Laurel, not the seven a Health Grade needs; here is what we do have.

Modeled estimates for adults 18+, CDC’s own estimate for Laurel. How CDC estimates town health

What stands out · In brief

What stands out about health in Laurel

Laurel keeps up with checkups

It beats Iowa on four of five routine checkups and screenings, including yearly checkups (81.4% vs 77.5%) and dentist visits (72.7% vs 66.8%). Checkups ↓

Cancer runs high in Laurel

1 in 9 adults have had cancer (10.8%), vs 8.7% across Iowa. Conditions ↓

Fewer Laurel adults struggle to make ends meet

Worries about food, housing, utility bills and getting around all run below Iowa. 1 in 13 adults worry about having enough food, vs 1 in 8 adults 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 Iowa figure falls outside Laurel’s likely range.

★ What stands out · Checkups & screenings

Keeping up with care

Share of Laurel adults getting routine care. The full ring is 100%; the dark tick marks Iowa.

81%Yearly checkupIA 78%
73%Dentist visitIA 67%
88%Cholesterol checkIA 84%
72%Colon screeningIA 67%
82%MammogramIA 79%
81%Taking BP medsIA 78%
1 in 21
working-age adults has no health insurance
Laurel 4.8% · Iowa 1 in 14 (7.3%)
Chronic conditions

Out of every 100 Laurel adults…

Laurel runs above IA on 1 of 12 conditions. Tap one to see it as people.

11 of every 100 Laurel adults have had cancer
Iowa: 9 in 100 · worse · likely 9.7–12.1%
Better than IAWorseAbout the sameIowa
Everyday needs

Making ends meet

Needs that shape health as much as any doctor visit: food, housing, utilities and a way to get around.

1 in 13
Laurel adults worry about having enough food
7.5% · IA 12%
Better than IA
1 in 16
Laurel adults worry about keeping their housing
6.4% · IA 9.4%
Better than IA
1 in 22
Laurel adults were threatened with a utility shut-off
4.5% · IA 6.4%
Better than IA
1 in 21
Laurel adults lack reliable transportation
4.7% · IA 6.8%
Better than IA

5.9% of Laurel adults receive SNAP (food stamps), compared with 10% across Iowa.

Getting care

Care in and near Laurel

No hospital or community health center in Laurel itself. These are the nearest.

HNearest ERUnitypoint Health - MarshalltownMarshalltown · 11.5 miDirections →
★Best rated nearbyMercyone Newton Medical Center★★★★★ · 14.2 miDirections →
+Low-cost carePrimary Health CareMarshalltown · 8.5 mi · sliding-scale feesDirections →
8.5 mi
Primary Health Care
7 sites · nearest in Marshalltown
Sliding-scale fees
Directions to nearest
11.5 mi
Unitypoint Health - Marshalltown
Marshalltown · ★★★★★
ER
13.7 mi
Grinnell Regional Medical Center
Grinnell · ★★★★★
ER
14.2 mi
Mercyone Newton Medical Center
Newton · ★★★★★
ER
27.6 mi
Story County Hospital
Nevada · not rated
ERRural critical access
31.6 mi
Peoples Clinic - Traer
Traer · community health center
Sliding-scale fees
✓ Primary careNo HRSA shortage area covers Laurel itself
✓ Dental careNo HRSA shortage area covers Laurel itself
✓ Mental healthNo HRSA shortage area covers Laurel itself

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 Laurel; ≈ 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).

Habits

Everyday habits, side by side with Iowa

Share of adults, with the Iowa figure marked.

Get no exercise 22%IA 24.8%
Sleep under 7 hours 31.8%IA 32.5%
Binge drink 20.5%IA 20.5%
Smoke cigarettes 13%IA 14.5%
0%10%20%30%40%
Laurel, betterLaurel, worseAbout the sameIowa
Where Laurel gets moving

Walk with neighbors

The easiest exercise habit to keep is one with company.

Mind & connection

How Laurel adults are doing

On 1 of 4 measures, Laurel does better than Iowa.

3 in 10Laurel adults feel lonely
28.5% · IA 32.3% · About the same as IA
1 in 5Laurel adults lack social or emotional support
20.6% · IA 23.3% · About the same as IA
1 in 5Laurel adults have been diagnosed with depression
19.7% · IA 20.7% · About the same as IA
1 in 7Laurel adults are in frequent mental distress
14.3% · IA 16.4% · Better than IA
The one neighbors can help with

3 in 10 Laurel adults feel lonely. A hello is a start.

Groups are the easiest way in: a walking group, a book club, your street.

Find a group →

If you or someone you know is struggling, call or text 988, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. It’s free, confidential and open 24/7.

Around town

Laurel and the towns around it

How health changes across the town line.

Health next door

TownHealthObesityDiabetesSmokingFigures from

Same-state neighbors only, ordered by length of shared border.

Disability

Living with a disability

Shown without a better/worse judgment.

26.2%

of Laurel adults live with a disability (Iowa 28.1%). Walking or climbing stairs is the most common.

Walking or climbing stairs12.2%
Thinking or memory11.3%
Hearing7.7%
Errands alone6.1%
Vision3.4%
Dressing or bathing3%
Iowa

Questions about health in Laurel

Why doesn’t Laurel have a Health Grade?

Every Health Grade is built from seven of CDC’s PLACES estimates, and CDC doesn’t publish all seven for Laurel.

What hospital is closest to Laurel?

Unitypoint Health - Marshalltown in Marshalltown, 11.5 miles in a straight line from Laurel’s 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 Laurel?

1 community health center sites are within 10 miles; the nearest is Primary Health Care - Marshalltown Clinic in Marshalltown, 8.5 miles away. They charge on a sliding scale by income.

Neighbors talk health

Doctors taking patients, urgent care, staying active in Laurel.

Town Square →
Ask your neighbors

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.