Where Palmetto residents get care
CDC publishes only some of its health estimates for Palmetto, not the seven a Health Grade needs; here is what we do have.
Modeled estimates for adults 18+, CDC’s own estimate for Palmetto. How CDC estimates town health
What stands out about health in Palmetto
Stroke, heart disease and COPD run high in Palmetto
1 in 12 adults have had a stroke (8.2%), about twice the Louisiana rate. 1 in 8 adults have heart disease (13.3%), vs 7.5% across Louisiana. COPD is also above the state: 13.7%, vs 8.5% across Louisiana. In all, Palmetto runs above Louisiana on eight of 11 chronic conditions. Conditions ↓
Dental care lags in Palmetto
47.4% of adults saw a dentist this year, vs 57.2% across Louisiana. Among those 65 and older, 22.9% have lost all their teeth (Louisiana 18.1%). Palmetto’s county is a federal shortage area for dental care. Checkups ↓
More Palmetto adults get no exercise
2 in 5 adults get no exercise outside work (41.5%), vs 30.3% across Louisiana. 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 Louisiana figure falls outside Palmetto’s likely range.
Out of every 100 Palmetto adults…
Palmetto runs above LA on 9 of 12 conditions. Tap one to see it as people.
Keeping up with care
Share of Palmetto adults getting routine care. The full ring is 100%; the dark tick marks Louisiana.
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.
Care in and near Palmetto
No hospital or community health center in Palmetto 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 Palmetto; ≈ 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 Palmetto adults are doing
About the same as Louisiana on each measure.
2 in 5 Palmetto 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.
26.9% of Palmetto adults receive SNAP (food stamps), compared with 19% across Louisiana.
Palmetto 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 Palmetto adults live with a disability (Louisiana 38%). Walking or climbing stairs is the most common.
Questions about health in Palmetto
Why doesn’t Palmetto have a Health Grade?
Every Health Grade is built from seven of CDC’s PLACES estimates, and CDC doesn’t publish all seven for Palmetto.
What hospital is closest to Palmetto?
Opelousas General Health System in Opelousas, 15.6 miles in a straight line from Palmetto’s center point, is the nearest general hospital with an emergency room. Medicare rates it 2 of 5 stars.
Neighbors talk health
Doctors taking patients, urgent care, staying active in Palmetto.
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.