Photo: ToddC4176 · CC BY-SA 3.0Where Alford residents get care
CDC publishes only some of its health estimates for Alford, not the seven a Health Grade needs; here is what we do have.
Modeled estimates for adults 18+, from ZIP codes 01266, 01230. How CDC estimates town health
What stands out about health in Alford
Cancer and heart disease run high in Alford
1 in 8 adults have had cancer (12.3%), vs 8.5% across Massachusetts. 1 in 13 adults have heart disease (7.5%), vs 5.8% across Massachusetts. In all, Alford runs above Massachusetts on three of 11 chronic conditions. Age is part of it: 43% of residents are 65 or older (Massachusetts 18%), and cancer and heart disease are more common later in life. Conditions ↓
Alford keeps up with checkups
It beats Massachusetts on three of five routine checkups and screenings, including dentist visits (74.7% vs 69.8%) and cholesterol checks (92.5% vs 89.7%). Checkups ↓
Alford adults report less loneliness
Loneliness (29.6% vs 34.2%), frequent mental distress (14.1% vs 16.2%) and lack of emotional support (20% vs 23.4%) all run below Massachusetts. Mind & connection ↓
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 Massachusetts figure falls outside Alford’s likely range; Alford’s figures come from ZIP codes 01266, 01230, which may reach past town lines.
Out of every 100 Alford adults…
Alford runs below MA on 1 of 12 conditions and above it on 4. Tap one to see it as people.
Alford is an older town: 43% of residents are 65 or older, vs 18% across Massachusetts. Heart disease, arthritis and cancer rise with age, so higher rates here say as much about who lives in Alford as about how healthy they are.
Keeping up with care
Share of Alford adults getting routine care. The full ring is 100%; the dark tick marks Massachusetts.
How Alford adults are doing
On 3 of 4 measures, Alford does better than Massachusetts.
3 in 10 Alford 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.
Care in and near Alford
No hospital or community health center in Alford 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 Alford; ≈ 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 Massachusetts
Share of adults, with the Massachusetts figure marked.
14 miles of trails across 5 parks and preserves
Making ends meet
Needs that shape health as much as any doctor visit: food, housing, utilities and a way to get around.
8.8% of Alford adults receive SNAP (food stamps), compared with 14.1% across Massachusetts.
Alford and the towns around it
How health changes across the town line.
Nearby towns are shaded from CDC’s estimates for their ZIP codes, or CDC’s own figure for cities and villages.
Health next door
| Town | Health | Obesity | Diabetes | Smoking | Figures from |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| West Stockbridge | A | 28.4% | 9.9% | 8.8% | ZIP codes |
| Egremont | A− | 29% | 10.6% | 10.2% | ZIP 01230 |
| Great Barrington | A− | 29% | 10.6% | 10.2% | ZIP codes |
Same-state neighbors only, ordered by length of shared border.
Living with a disability
Shown without a better/worse judgment.
of Alford adults live with a disability (Massachusetts 27.3%). Walking or climbing stairs is the most common.
Questions about health in Alford
Why doesn’t Alford have a Health Grade?
Every Health Grade is built from seven of CDC’s PLACES estimates, and CDC doesn’t publish all seven for Alford.
What hospital is closest to Alford?
Fairview Hospital in Great Barrington, 5.1 miles in a straight line from Alford’s center point, is the nearest general hospital with an emergency room. Medicare rates it 5 of 5 stars.
Where can I get low-cost care near Alford?
3 community health center sites are within 10 miles; the nearest is CHP Great Barrington Family Health and Dental Center in Great Barrington, 4.9 miles away. They charge on a sliding scale by income.
Neighbors talk health
Doctors taking patients, urgent care, staying active in Alford.
Health estimates: CDC PLACES: Local Data for Better Health, 2025 release. The Massachusetts 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.