Photo: w.marsh · CC BY 2.0On CDC estimates, London is healthier than 7% of U.S. towns
London trails Kentucky on 15 of 31 measures CDC estimates, and leads on none.
Modeled estimates for adults 18+, CDC’s own estimate for London. How CDC estimates town health
What stands out about health in London
London is in the bottom 7% of U.S. towns for health
On the seven CDC estimates behind the Health Grade, London is healthier than only 7% of U.S. towns. It earns a D on six of the seven. Health Grade ↓
Dental care lags in London
51.3% of adults saw a dentist this year, vs 58.1% across Kentucky. Among those 65 and older, 27% have lost all their teeth (Kentucky 18.9%). Checkups ↓
1 in 12 working-age adults in London has no health insurance
8.2% of adults 18–64 have no health insurance, vs 5.4% across Kentucky. 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 Kentucky figure falls outside London’s likely range; at the ends of CDC’s ranges the grade could be anywhere from D− to C.
What’s behind London’s grade
On seven CDC estimates for adults, London is healthier than 7% of U.S. towns, #127 of 141 in Kentucky. Mental distress holds the grade up (fewer adults with frequent mental distress than 16% of U.S. towns); smoking pulls it down (better than 5%).
Health estimates follow income closely across the country: towns with higher household incomes usually score higher (a correlation of 0.77 across 21,157 graded towns). London’s median household income is $47,591; among the 4,878 U.S. towns within 25% of that ($36K–$59K), it’s healthier than 20%, so it sits below most towns with similar incomes, too.
Keeping up with care
Share of London adults getting routine care. The full ring is 100%; the dark tick marks Kentucky.
Out of every 100 London adults…
London runs above KY on 5 of 12 conditions. Tap one to see it as people.
Care in and near London
2 community health centers in London, plus the nearest just outside it.
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 London; ≈ 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 Kentucky
Share of adults, with the Kentucky figure marked.
4.2 miles of trails across 4 parks and preserves
How London adults are doing
About the same as Kentucky on each measure.
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.
19.7% of London adults receive SNAP (food stamps), compared with 14.5% across Kentucky.
London and the towns around it
How health changes across the town line.
Health next door
| Town | Health | Obesity | Diabetes | Smoking | Figures from |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| London | D | 41.5% | 15.4% | 21.4% | CDC place |
Same-state neighbors only, ordered by length of shared border.
Living with a disability
Shown without a better/worse judgment.
of London adults live with a disability (Kentucky 37.4%). Walking or climbing stairs is the most common.
Every CDC estimate for London
Share of adults, 39 measures, with CDC’s likely range.
On the 31 measures below that have a better and a worse direction, London is better than Kentucky on 0 and worse on 15; on the rest, the Kentucky figure falls inside London’s likely range, so we call them about the same. Disability and SNAP are described, not compared as better or worse.
| Adults who… | London | KY | U.S. | vs KY |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall health | ||||
| Fair or poor health | 27.8%25.1–30.6 | 22.4% | 19.4% | Worse |
| Frequent physical distress (physical health not good 14+ days a month) | 18.3%16.3–20.4 | 15.2% | 13% | Worse |
| Frequent mental distress (mental health not good 14+ days a month) | 19.2%17.3–21.2 | 17.4% | 15.9% | About the same |
| Conditions | ||||
| Obesity | 41.5%34.4–49 | 38.3% | 32.9% | About the same |
| Diabetes | 15.4%13.4–17.5 | 13.7% | 12% | About the same |
| High blood pressure | 43.4%39.3–48 | 38.8% | 34.4% | Worse |
| High cholesterol (adults screened in 5 years) | 40.8%36.5–45.5 | 36.8% | 37.1% | About the same |
| Arthritis | 35.2%31.5–39 | 32.2% | 25.3% | About the same |
| Asthma | 11.9%10.5–13.5 | 11.1% | 9.9% | About the same |
| Cancer, other than skin cancer | 9.3%8.4–10.3 | 8.7% | 7.9% | About the same |
| Coronary heart disease | 10%9–11 | 8.2% | 6.4% | Worse |
| COPD | 13.1%11.8–14.4 | 10.2% | 6.3% | Worse |
| Stroke | 5.1%4.7–5.5 | 4% | 3.4% | Worse |
| Lost all teeth (ages 65+) | 27%22.8–31.4 | 18.9% | 12.3% | Worse |
| Habits | ||||
| Smoke cigarettes | 21.4%18.9–24 | 18.5% | 11.8% | Worse |
| No exercise outside work | 32.4%27.8–37.1 | 26.9% | 24.7% | Worse |
| Binge drinking | 12.2%9.7–15 | 14.2% | 15.4% | About the same |
| Sleep under 7 hours | 40.7%34.3–47.5 | 39.6% | 36% | About the same |
| Checkups and coverage | ||||
| No health insurance (ages 18–64) | 8.2%6.6–9.8 | 5.4% | 11% | Worse |
| Checkup in the past year | 78.7%74.8–82.2 | 78.7% | 77.4% | About the same |
| Dentist visit in the past year | 51.3%47.4–55.1 | 58.1% | 63.2% | Worse |
| Cholesterol check in 5 years | 82.5%79.7–85.2 | 84.2% | 87.1% | About the same |
| Taking blood pressure medicine (adults with high blood pressure) | 82.9%80.4–85.2 | 81.3% | 76.5% | About the same |
| Colorectal cancer screening (ages 45–75) | 63.1%57.9–68.1 | 65.8% | 65.5% | About the same |
| Mammogram in 2 years (women 50–74) | 67.3%58.6–75.4 | 72.7% | 76.4% | About the same |
| Mind and connection | ||||
| Ever told they have depression | 28.9%24.8–33.1 | 26.7% | 20.6% | About the same |
| Lack social and emotional support | 23%19.8–26.4 | 22.5% | 23.6% | About the same |
| Everyday needs | ||||
| Worried about having enough food | 19%17.1–21.1 | 15.5% | 15% | Worse |
| Worried about keeping housing | 13.6%12–15.3 | 11.7% | 12% | Worse |
| Threatened with a utility shut-off | 10.4%9.1–11.7 | 8.8% | 7.6% | Worse |
| Lack reliable transportation | 10.5%9.5–11.5 | 8.8% | 7.9% | Worse |
| Received SNAP (food stamps) | 19.7%17.5–21.9 | 14.5% | 11.6% | Higher |
| Disability | ||||
| Any disability | 43.7%39.2–48.2 | 37.4% | 30.1% | Higher |
| Difficulty walking or climbing stairs | 21.7%19.6–24 | 17.3% | 13.6% | Higher |
| Difficulty concentrating or remembering | 21%18.9–23.2 | 17.3% | 13.9% | Higher |
| Hearing difficulty | 11.5%10.3–12.8 | 9% | 6.7% | Higher |
| Vision difficulty | 7.9%7.2–8.6 | 6% | 5.4% | Higher |
| Difficulty doing errands alone | 12.6%11.4–13.8 | 9.4% | 7.9% | Higher |
| Difficulty dressing or bathing | 5.8%5.4–6.3 | 4.4% | 3.8% | Higher |
Each figure is the share of adults 18+ unless the label says otherwise; small numbers after it are CDC’s likely range (95% interval). “About the same” means the Kentucky figure falls inside that range.
Questions about health in London
Is London a healthy place to live?
On seven CDC estimates for adults, London is healthier than 7% of U.S. towns: D for health, #127 of 141 in Kentucky. Among U.S. towns with similar household incomes it’s healthier than 20%. These are modeled estimates of who lives there, not a measure of local care or habits alone.
What is the obesity rate in London?
CDC estimates 41.5% of adults have obesity, likely between 34.4% and 49%, against 38.3% across Kentucky and 32.9% nationally.
What hospital is closest to London?
Saint Joseph London in London, 3.0 miles in a straight line from London’s center point, is the nearest general hospital with an emergency room; Medicare rates it 3 of 5 stars.
How many people in London have no health insurance?
CDC estimates 8.2% of adults ages 18–64 have no health insurance (likely 6.6–9.8%), against 5.4% across Kentucky.
How accurate are these numbers?
They’re modeled estimates: CDC applies national survey answers to each area’s age, sex, race and education mix, so they describe who lives in London more than anything measured there. At the ends of CDC’s ranges the grade could be anywhere from D− to C.
Neighbors talk health
Doctors taking patients, urgent care, staying active in London.
Health estimates: CDC PLACES: Local Data for Better Health, 2025 release. The Kentucky figure combines its counties, weighted by adult population. Hospitals and star ratings: Medicare Care Compare (CMS). Health centers and shortage areas: HRSA. The Health Grade is our own summary of CDC’s estimates, not an official rating. 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.