Adam Ponthieu Store-Big Bend Post Office · Photo: Z28scrambler · CC BY-SA 4.0Simmesport’s CDC health estimates rank near the bottom of U.S. towns
Simmesport differs from Louisiana on 22 of 32 measures CDC estimates: 2 better, 20 worse.
Modeled estimates for adults 18+, CDC’s own estimate for Simmesport. How CDC estimates town health
What stands out about health in Simmesport
Simmesport is in the bottom 1% of U.S. towns for health
On the seven CDC estimates behind the Health Grade, Simmesport is healthier than only 1% of U.S. towns. It earns a D on all of them. Health Grade ↓
Stroke, COPD and heart disease run high in Simmesport
1 in 14 adults have had a stroke (7%), vs 4.3% across Louisiana. 1 in 7 adults have COPD (13.4%), vs 8.5% across Louisiana. Heart disease is also above the state: 10.8%, vs 7.5% across Louisiana. In all, Simmesport runs above Louisiana on seven of 11 chronic conditions. Conditions ↓
Dental care lags in Simmesport
45.2% of adults saw a dentist this year, vs 57.2% across Louisiana. Among those 65 and older, 31.7% have lost all their teeth (Louisiana 18.1%). Checkups ↓
More high blood pressure in Simmesport, and more people treating it
54.2% of adults have high blood pressure (Louisiana 42.6%), but 82.2% of them take medicine for it, vs 78.8% statewide. 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 Simmesport’s likely range.
What’s behind Simmesport’s grade
On seven CDC estimates for adults, Simmesport is near the bottom of U.S. towns. All seven of Simmesport’s estimates fall in the lowest 3% of U.S. towns. The furthest from typical is diabetes: 21.6% of adults, against 15.2% across Louisiana and 12% nationally.
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). Simmesport’s median household income is $29,712; among the 530 U.S. towns within 25% of that ($22K–$37K), it’s healthier than 12%, so it sits below most towns with similar incomes, too.
Where Simmesport compares well: taking blood pressure medicine (adults with high blood pressure), 82.2% (U.S. 76.5%).
Out of every 100 Simmesport adults…
Simmesport runs above LA on 8 of 12 conditions. Tap one to see it as people.
Keeping up with care
Share of Simmesport adults getting routine care. The full ring is 100%; the dark tick marks Louisiana.
Care in and near Simmesport
No hospital or community health center in Simmesport 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 Simmesport; ≈ 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 Louisiana
Share of adults, with the Louisiana figure marked.
How Simmesport adults are doing
On 2 of 4 measures, Simmesport runs above Louisiana.
2 in 5 Simmesport 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.
36.9% of Simmesport adults receive SNAP (food stamps), compared with 19% across Louisiana.
Simmesport and the towns around it
How health changes across the town line.
Health next door
| Town | Health | Obesity | Diabetes | Smoking | Figures from |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Simmesport | D− | 46.6% | 21.6% | 24% | CDC place |
Same-state neighbors only, ordered by length of shared border.
Living with a disability
Shown without a better/worse judgment.
of Simmesport adults live with a disability (Louisiana 38%). Walking or climbing stairs is the most common.
Every CDC estimate for Simmesport
Share of adults, 40 measures, with CDC’s likely range.
On the 32 measures below that have a better and a worse direction, Simmesport is better than Louisiana on 2 and worse on 20; on the rest, the Louisiana figure falls inside Simmesport’s likely range, so we call them about the same. Disability and SNAP are described, not compared as better or worse.
| Adults who… | Simmesport | LA | U.S. | vs LA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall health | ||||
| Fair or poor health | 35.8%31.4–40.1 | 24.4% | 19.4% | Worse |
| Frequent physical distress (physical health not good 14+ days a month) | 20.3%17.8–22.9 | 15.2% | 13% | Worse |
| Frequent mental distress (mental health not good 14+ days a month) | 22.1%19.5–24.9 | 19.3% | 15.9% | Worse |
| Conditions | ||||
| Obesity | 46.6%38.9–56.1 | 40% | 32.9% | About the same |
| Diabetes | 21.6%19.1–24.5 | 15.2% | 12% | Worse |
| High blood pressure | 54.2%50–59.3 | 42.6% | 34.4% | Worse |
| High cholesterol (adults screened in 5 years) | 41.7%37.3–46.9 | 38.3% | 37.1% | About the same |
| Arthritis | 36.7%33.2–40.9 | 29.7% | 25.3% | Worse |
| Asthma | 12%10.6–13.7 | 10.3% | 9.9% | Worse |
| Cancer, other than skin cancer | 7.8%6.9–8.7 | 7.5% | 7.9% | About the same |
| Coronary heart disease | 10.8%9.6–12.2 | 7.5% | 6.4% | Worse |
| COPD | 13.4%11.6–15.3 | 8.5% | 6.3% | Worse |
| Stroke | 7%6.2–7.8 | 4.3% | 3.4% | Worse |
| Lost all teeth (ages 65+) | 31.7%26.7–36.9 | 18.1% | 12.3% | Worse |
| Habits | ||||
| Smoke cigarettes | 24%20.4–27.6 | 17.3% | 11.8% | Worse |
| No exercise outside work | 43.2%37.3–49.7 | 30.3% | 24.7% | Worse |
| Binge drinking | 13%10.6–16 | 16.9% | 15.4% | Better |
| Sleep under 7 hours | 43.9%36.9–51 | 40.1% | 36% | About the same |
| Checkups and coverage | ||||
| No health insurance (ages 18–64) | 11.5%9.2–14.1 | 8.9% | 11% | Worse |
| Checkup in the past year | 83.8%80.9–86.8 | 81.8% | 77.4% | About the same |
| Dentist visit in the past year | 45.2%41–49.3 | 57.2% | 63.2% | Worse |
| Cholesterol check in 5 years | 85.5%83.4–87.6 | 86.4% | 87.1% | About the same |
| Taking blood pressure medicine (adults with high blood pressure) | 82.2%80–84.4 | 78.8% | 76.5% | Better |
| Colorectal cancer screening (ages 45–75) | 65.4%59.7–70.6 | 66.3% | 65.5% | About the same |
| Mammogram in 2 years (women 50–74) | 74%65.5–81 | 79.3% | 76.4% | About the same |
| Mind and connection | ||||
| Ever told they have depression | 26.1%22.4–30.5 | 26.6% | 20.6% | About the same |
| Feel lonely | 39.4%34–45 | 36.6% | 32.5% | About the same |
| Lack social and emotional support | 34.3%30–39 | 28.6% | 23.6% | Worse |
| Everyday needs | ||||
| Worried about having enough food | 37.2%32.4–42.1 | 22.5% | 15% | Worse |
| Worried about keeping housing | 26%22.7–29.5 | 16.8% | 12% | Worse |
| Threatened with a utility shut-off | 20.5%18–23.1 | 12.4% | 7.6% | Worse |
| Lack reliable transportation | 18%15.6–20.5 | 11.3% | 7.9% | Worse |
| Received SNAP (food stamps) | 36.9%32.1–41.5 | 19% | 11.6% | Higher |
| Disability | ||||
| Any disability | 48%42.7–53.6 | 38% | 30.1% | Higher |
| Difficulty walking or climbing stairs | 27.5%24.2–30.9 | 17.6% | 13.6% | Higher |
| Difficulty concentrating or remembering | 23.4%20.4–26.4 | 18.4% | 13.9% | Higher |
| Hearing difficulty | 10.4%9.2–11.7 | 8% | 6.7% | Higher |
| Vision difficulty | 11.5%10.2–13 | 6.7% | 5.4% | Higher |
| Difficulty doing errands alone | 16%14–18.1 | 10.3% | 7.9% | Higher |
| Difficulty dressing or bathing | 8.9%7.8–10.1 | 5.1% | 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 Louisiana figure falls inside that range.
Questions about health in Simmesport
Is Simmesport a healthy place to live?
On seven CDC estimates for adults, Simmesport is near the bottom of U.S. towns: D− for health. Among U.S. towns with similar household incomes it’s healthier than 12%. These are modeled estimates of who lives there, not a measure of local care or habits alone.
What is the obesity rate in Simmesport?
CDC estimates 46.6% of adults have obesity, likely between 38.9% and 56.1%, against 40% across Louisiana and 32.9% nationally.
What hospital is closest to Simmesport?
Avoyelles Hospital in Marksville, 18.6 miles in a straight line from Simmesport’s center point, is the nearest general hospital with an emergency room; Medicare rates it 1 of 5 stars.
How many people in Simmesport have no health insurance?
CDC estimates 11.5% of adults ages 18–64 have no health insurance (likely 9.2–14.1%), against 8.9% across Louisiana.
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 Simmesport more than anything measured there. At the ends of CDC’s ranges the grade could be anywhere from D− to D.
Neighbors talk health
Doctors taking patients, urgent care, staying active in Simmesport.
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. 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.