Where Nelson residents get care
CDC publishes only some of its health estimates for Nelson, not the seven a Health Grade needs; here is what we do have.
Modeled estimates for adults 18+, CDC’s own estimate for Nelson. How CDC estimates town health
What stands out about health in Nelson
COPD, cancer and arthritis run high in Nelson
1 in 11 adults have COPD (8.7%), vs 6.3% across Illinois. 1 in 10 adults have had cancer (10.2%), vs 7.6% across Illinois. Arthritis is also above the state: 31.9%, vs 24.2% across Illinois. In all, Nelson runs above Illinois on six of 11 chronic conditions. Conditions ↓
Smoking is more common in Nelson
1 in 6 adults smoke cigarettes (15.6%), vs 12.1% across Illinois. Habits ↓
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 Nelson’s likely range.
Out of every 100 Nelson adults…
Nelson runs above IL on 7 of 12 conditions. Tap one to see it as people.
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.
Care in and near Nelson
No hospital or community health center in Nelson 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 Nelson; ≈ 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).
Keeping up with care
Share of Nelson adults getting routine care. The full ring is 100%; the dark tick marks Illinois.
How Nelson adults are doing
About the same as Illinois on each measure.
1 in 3 Nelson 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.
12.1% of Nelson adults receive SNAP (food stamps), compared with 13.8% across Illinois.
Nelson 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 Nelson adults live with a disability (Illinois 27.6%). Walking or climbing stairs is the most common.
Questions about health in Nelson
Why doesn’t Nelson have a Health Grade?
Every Health Grade is built from seven of CDC’s PLACES estimates, and CDC doesn’t publish all seven for Nelson.
What hospital is closest to Nelson?
CGH Medical Center in Sterling, 4.6 miles in a straight line from Nelson’s center point, is the nearest general hospital with an emergency room. Medicare rates it 1 of 5 stars.
Where can I get low-cost care near Nelson?
1 community health center sites are within 10 miles; the nearest is Whiteside CHD - Rock Falls in Rock Falls, 5.2 miles away. They charge on a sliding scale by income.
Neighbors talk health
Doctors taking patients, urgent care, staying active in Nelson.
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.