Where Dawson residents get care
CDC publishes only some of its health estimates for Dawson, not the seven a Health Grade needs; here is what we do have.
Modeled estimates for adults 18+, CDC’s own estimate for Dawson. How CDC estimates town health
What stands out about health in Dawson
COPD, heart disease and stroke run high in Dawson
1 in 8 adults have COPD (12.8%), about twice the Maryland rate. 1 in 9 adults have heart disease (11.4%), about twice the Maryland rate. Stroke is also above the state: 5.8%, vs 3.4% across Maryland. In all, Dawson runs above Maryland on eight of 11 chronic conditions. Conditions ↓
Smoking is more common in Dawson
1 in 5 adults smoke cigarettes (20.7%), about twice the Maryland rate. Habits ↓
More Dawson adults get no exercise
36.7% of adults get no exercise outside work, vs 23.6% across Maryland. 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 Maryland figure falls outside Dawson’s likely range.
Out of every 100 Dawson adults…
Dawson runs above MD on 10 of 12 conditions. Tap one to see it as people.
Everyday habits, side by side with Maryland
Share of adults, with the Maryland figure marked.
1 mile of trails across 2 parks and preserves
Care in and near Dawson
No hospital or community health center in Dawson 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 Dawson; ≈ 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).
Keeping up with care
Share of Dawson adults getting routine care. The full ring is 100%; the dark tick marks Maryland.
How Dawson adults are doing
On 1 of 4 measures, Dawson runs above Maryland.
1 in 3 Dawson 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.
16.1% of Dawson adults receive SNAP (food stamps), compared with 11.8% across Maryland.
Dawson 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 Dawson adults live with a disability (Maryland 26.4%). Walking or climbing stairs is the most common.
Questions about health in Dawson
Why doesn’t Dawson have a Health Grade?
Every Health Grade is built from seven of CDC’s PLACES estimates, and CDC doesn’t publish all seven for Dawson.
What hospital is closest to Dawson?
Potomac Valley Hospital in Keyser, 5.6 miles in a straight line from Dawson’s 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 Dawson?
1 community health center sites are within 10 miles; the nearest is Mountain Laurel Medical Center Westernport in Westernport, 2.7 miles away. They charge on a sliding scale by income.
Neighbors talk health
Doctors taking patients, urgent care, staying active in Dawson.
Health estimates: CDC PLACES: Local Data for Better Health, 2025 release. The Maryland 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.