Photo: Famartin · CC BY-SA 4.0Where Washington residents get care
CDC publishes only some of its health estimates for Washington, not the seven a Health Grade needs; here is what we do have.
Modeled estimates for adults 18+, CDC’s own estimate for Washington. How CDC estimates town health
What stands out about health in Washington
Stroke, heart disease and COPD run high in Washington
1 in 14 adults have had a stroke (7.4%), vs 4.3% across Louisiana. 1 in 8 adults have heart disease (12.1%), vs 7.5% across Louisiana. COPD is also above the state: 13.5%, vs 8.5% across Louisiana. In all, Washington runs above Louisiana on eight of 11 chronic conditions. Conditions ↓
Dental care lags in Washington
46.2% of adults saw a dentist this year, vs 57.2% across Louisiana. Among those 65 and older, 27.7% have lost all their teeth (Louisiana 18.1%). Washington’s county is a federal shortage area for dental care. Checkups ↓
Making ends meet is harder in Washington
1 in 3 adults worry about having enough food (32.6%), vs 22.5% across Louisiana. Utility shut-off threats (18.3% vs 12.4%) and no reliable transportation (16% vs 11.3%) are higher too. 32.3% of adults receive SNAP, vs 19% statewide. Everyday needs ↓
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 Washington’s likely range.
Out of every 100 Washington adults…
Washington runs above LA on 9 of 12 conditions. Tap one to see it as people.
Keeping up with care
Share of Washington adults getting routine care. The full ring is 100%; the dark tick marks Louisiana.
Making ends meet
Needs that shape health as much as any doctor visit: food, housing, utilities and a way to get around.
32.3% of Washington adults receive SNAP (food stamps), compared with 19% across Louisiana.
Care in and near Washington
No hospital or community health center in Washington 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 Washington; ≈ 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.
Walk with neighbors
The easiest exercise habit to keep is one with company.
How Washington adults are doing
About the same as Louisiana on each measure.
4 in 10 Washington 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.
Washington 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 Washington adults live with a disability (Louisiana 38%). Walking or climbing stairs is the most common.
Questions about health in Washington
Why doesn’t Washington have a Health Grade?
Every Health Grade is built from seven of CDC’s PLACES estimates, and CDC doesn’t publish all seven for Washington.
What hospital is closest to Washington?
Opelousas General Health System in Opelousas, 5.1 miles in a straight line from Washington’s center point, is the nearest general hospital with an emergency room. Medicare rates it 2 of 5 stars.
Where can I get low-cost care near Washington?
2 community health center sites are within 10 miles; the nearest is Southwest La Primary Health Care in Opelousas, 3.5 miles away. They charge on a sliding scale by income.
Neighbors talk health
Doctors taking patients, urgent care, staying active in Washington.
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.