Where Dorchester residents get care
CDC publishes only some of its health estimates for Dorchester, not the seven a Health Grade needs; here is what we do have.
Modeled estimates for adults 18+, CDC’s own estimate for Dorchester. How CDC estimates town health
What stands out about health in Dorchester
Cancer, heart disease and COPD run high in Dorchester
1 in 9 adults have had cancer (10.7%), vs 7.6% across Illinois. 1 in 12 adults have heart disease (8.2%), vs 5.9% across Illinois. COPD is also above the state: 8.5%, vs 6.3% across Illinois. In all, Dorchester runs above Illinois on six of 11 chronic conditions. Conditions ↓
Fewer Dorchester adults struggle to make ends meet
Worries about food, housing, utility bills and getting around all run below Illinois. 1 in 9 adults worry about having enough food, vs 1 in 6 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 Illinois figure falls outside Dorchester’s likely range.
Out of every 100 Dorchester adults…
Dorchester runs above IL on 6 of 12 conditions. Tap one to see it as people.
Making ends meet
Needs that shape health as much as any doctor visit: food, housing, utilities and a way to get around.
10.2% of Dorchester adults receive SNAP (food stamps), compared with 13.8% across Illinois.
Care in and near Dorchester
No hospital or community health center in Dorchester 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 Dorchester; ≈ 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 Illinois
Share of adults, with the Illinois figure marked.
Walk with neighbors
The easiest exercise habit to keep is one with company.
Keeping up with care
Share of Dorchester adults getting routine care. The full ring is 100%; the dark tick marks Illinois.
How Dorchester adults are doing
About the same as Illinois on each measure.
1 in 3 Dorchester 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.
Dorchester and the towns around it
How health changes across the town line.
Nearby towns are shaded from CDC’s estimates for their ZIP codes, or CDC’s own figure for cities and villages.
Health next door
| Town | Health | Obesity | Diabetes | Smoking | Figures from |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gillespie Township | — | — | — | — | |
| Dorchester Township | B− | 36.6% | 12.4% | 15.6% | ZIP codes |
Gillespie Township: not graded. Same-state neighbors only, ordered by length of shared border.
Living with a disability
Shown without a better/worse judgment.
of Dorchester adults live with a disability (Illinois 27.6%). Walking or climbing stairs is the most common.
Questions about health in Dorchester
Why doesn’t Dorchester have a Health Grade?
Every Health Grade is built from seven of CDC’s PLACES estimates, and CDC doesn’t publish all seven for Dorchester.
What hospital is closest to Dorchester?
Community Hospital of Staunton in Staunton, 7.2 miles in a straight line from Dorchester’s center point, is the nearest general hospital with an emergency room. It has no Medicare star rating.
Where can I get low-cost care near Dorchester?
2 community health center sites are within 10 miles; the nearest is Sihf Healthcare - Bunker Hill in Bunker Hill, 4.5 miles away. They charge on a sliding scale by income.
Neighbors talk health
Doctors taking patients, urgent care, staying active in Dorchester.
Health estimates: CDC PLACES: Local Data for Better Health, 2025 release. The Illinois 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.