Where Otho residents get care
CDC publishes only some of its health estimates for Otho, not the seven a Health Grade needs; here is what we do have.
Modeled estimates for adults 18+, CDC’s own estimate for Otho. How CDC estimates town health
What stands out about health in Otho
Otho is an older town
28% of residents are 65 or older, vs 18% across Iowa. Conditions like heart disease and arthritis become more common with age, so keep that in mind when comparing Otho with the state. Conditions ↓
Otho is short on primary care and mental health care
Otho’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 Otho’s likely range.
Out of every 100 Otho adults…
Otho runs above IA on 2 of 12 conditions. Tap one to see it as people.
Otho is an older town: 28% of residents are 65 or older, vs 18% across Iowa. Cancer rise with age, so higher rates here say as much about who lives in Otho as about how healthy they are.
Care in and near Otho
No hospital or community health center in Otho 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 Otho; ≈ 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.
Keeping up with care
Share of Otho adults getting routine care. The full ring is 100%; the dark tick marks Iowa.
How Otho adults are doing
About the same as Iowa on each measure.
1 in 3 Otho 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.
9.3% of Otho adults receive SNAP (food stamps), compared with 10% across Iowa.
Otho 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 Otho adults live with a disability (Iowa 28.1%). Walking or climbing stairs is the most common.
Questions about health in Otho
Why doesn’t Otho have a Health Grade?
Every Health Grade is built from seven of CDC’s PLACES estimates, and CDC doesn’t publish all seven for Otho.
What hospital is closest to Otho?
Trinity Regional Medical Center in Fort Dodge, 5.2 miles in a straight line from Otho’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 Otho?
2 community health center sites are within 10 miles; the nearest is Proteus, Inc. - Fort Dodge Site in Fort Dodge, 6.1 miles away. They charge on a sliding scale by income.
Neighbors talk health
Doctors taking patients, urgent care, staying active in Otho.
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.