Where Wadena residents get care
CDC publishes only some of its health estimates for Wadena, not the seven a Health Grade needs; here is what we do have.
Modeled estimates for adults 18+, CDC’s own estimate for Wadena. How CDC estimates town health
What stands out about health in Wadena
Heart disease, stroke and COPD run high in Wadena
1 in 11 adults have heart disease (9.5%), vs 6.6% across Iowa. 1 in 22 adults have had a stroke (4.6%), vs 3.3% across Iowa. COPD is also above the state: 9.6%, vs 6.9% across Iowa. In all, Wadena runs above Iowa on seven of 11 chronic conditions. Conditions ↓
In Wadena, insurance isn’t the gap
Only 7.1% of working-age adults are uninsured (Iowa 7.3%), yet 21.6% say their health is fair or poor, vs 17.8% across the state. Checkups ↓
More high blood pressure in Wadena, and more people treating it
42.8% of adults have high blood pressure (Iowa 33.9%), but 81.3% of them take medicine for it, vs 77.8% statewide. 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 Wadena’s likely range.
Out of every 100 Wadena adults…
Wadena runs above IA on 8 of 12 conditions. Tap one to see it as people.
Keeping up with care
Share of Wadena adults getting routine care. The full ring is 100%; the dark tick marks Iowa.
Care in and near Wadena
No hospital or community health center in Wadena 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 Wadena; ≈ 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 Wadena adults are doing
About the same as Iowa on each measure.
3 in 10 Wadena 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.
11.6% of Wadena adults receive SNAP (food stamps), compared with 10% across Iowa.
Wadena 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 Wadena adults live with a disability (Iowa 28.1%). Walking or climbing stairs is the most common.
Questions about health in Wadena
Why doesn’t Wadena have a Health Grade?
Every Health Grade is built from seven of CDC’s PLACES estimates, and CDC doesn’t publish all seven for Wadena.
What hospital is closest to Wadena?
Gundersen Palmer Lutheran Hospital and Clinics in West Union, 11.7 miles in a straight line from Wadena’s center point, is the nearest general hospital with an emergency room. Medicare rates it 5 of 5 stars.
Neighbors talk health
Doctors taking patients, urgent care, staying active in Wadena.
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.