Photo: Billy Hathorn · CC BY-SA 3.0Where Athens residents get care
CDC publishes only some of its health estimates for Athens, not the seven a Health Grade needs; here is what we do have.
Modeled estimates for adults 18+, CDC’s own estimate for Athens. How CDC estimates town health
What stands out about health in Athens
COPD, stroke and heart disease run high in Athens
1 in 7 adults have COPD (15.3%), vs 8.5% across Louisiana. 1 in 14 adults have had a stroke (7.1%), vs 4.3% across Louisiana. Heart disease is also above the state: 12.2%, vs 7.5% across Louisiana. In all, Athens runs above Louisiana on eight of 11 chronic conditions. Conditions ↓
More Athens adults get no exercise
2 in 5 adults get no exercise outside work (42.5%), vs 30.3% across Louisiana. Habits ↓
Dental care lags in Athens
47.2% of adults saw a dentist this year, vs 57.2% across Louisiana. Among those 65 and older, 27.3% have lost all their teeth (Louisiana 18.1%). 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 Louisiana figure falls outside Athens’ likely range.
Out of every 100 Athens adults…
Athens runs above LA on 9 of 12 conditions. Tap one to see it as people.
Everyday habits, side by side with Louisiana
Share of adults, with the Louisiana figure marked.
Walk with neighbors
The easiest exercise habit to keep is one with company.
Keeping up with care
Share of Athens adults getting routine care. The full ring is 100%; the dark tick marks Louisiana.
Care in and near Athens
No hospital or community health center in Athens 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 Athens; ≈ 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).
How Athens adults are doing
About the same as Louisiana on each measure.
1 in 3 Athens 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.
33.7% of Athens adults receive SNAP (food stamps), compared with 19% across Louisiana.
Athens 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 Athens adults live with a disability (Louisiana 38%). Walking or climbing stairs is the most common.
Questions about health in Athens
Why doesn’t Athens have a Health Grade?
Every Health Grade is built from seven of CDC’s PLACES estimates, and CDC doesn’t publish all seven for Athens.
What hospital is closest to Athens?
Claiborne Memorial Medical Center in Homer, 9.7 miles in a straight line from Athens’ 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 Athens?
2 community health center sites are within 10 miles; the nearest is Mercy Medical Health Center of Arcadia and Mercy Medicine of Arcadia in Arcadia, 9.5 miles away. They charge on a sliding scale by income.
Neighbors talk health
Doctors taking patients, urgent care, staying active in Athens.
Health estimates: CDC PLACES: Local Data for Better Health, 2025 release. The Louisiana 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.