Photo: Brian Stansberry · CC BY 4.0Malden’s CDC health estimates rank near the bottom of U.S. towns
Malden differs from Missouri on 24 of 32 measures CDC estimates: 1 better, 23 worse.
Modeled estimates for adults 18+, CDC’s own estimate for Malden. How CDC estimates town health
What stands out about health in Malden
More Malden adults get no exercise
45.8% of adults get no exercise outside work, vs 28.8% across Missouri. Habits ↓
Malden is in the bottom 1% of U.S. towns for health
On the seven CDC estimates behind the Health Grade, Malden is healthier than only 1% of U.S. towns. It earns a D on all of them. Health Grade ↓
COPD, stroke and diabetes run high in Malden
1 in 7 adults have COPD (13.5%), vs 8% across Missouri. 1 in 17 adults have had a stroke (5.8%), vs 3.6% across Missouri. Diabetes is also above the state: 18.2%, vs 12.1% across Missouri. In all, Malden runs above Missouri on eight of 11 chronic conditions. Conditions ↓
More Malden adults live with a disability
1 in 2 adults live with a disability (49.3%, vs 36.2% across Missouri). The biggest difference is vision loss: 9.2% vs 5.1%. Disability ↓
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 Missouri figure falls outside Malden’s likely range.
What’s behind Malden’s grade
On seven CDC estimates for adults, Malden is near the bottom of U.S. towns, #242 of 247 in Missouri. All seven of Malden’s estimates fall in the lowest 6% of U.S. towns. The furthest from typical is no exercise: 45.8% of adults, against 28.8% across Missouri and 24.7% 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). Malden’s median household income is $40,118; among the 2,430 U.S. towns within 25% of that ($30K–$50K), it’s healthier than 4%, so it sits below most towns with similar incomes, too.
Where Malden compares well: binge drinking, 12.3% (U.S. 15.4%).
Everyday habits, side by side with Missouri
Share of adults, with the Missouri figure marked.
5.8 miles of trails across 4 parks and preserves
Out of every 100 Malden adults…
Malden runs above MO on 9 of 12 conditions. Tap one to see it as people.
Living with a disability
Shown without a better/worse judgment.
of Malden adults live with a disability (Missouri 36.2%). Walking or climbing stairs is the most common.
Care in and near Malden
No hospital or community health center in Malden 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 Malden; ≈ 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 Malden adults getting routine care. The full ring is 100%; the dark tick marks Missouri.
How Malden adults are doing
On 2 of 4 measures, Malden runs above Missouri.
4 in 10 Malden 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.
25.6% of Malden adults receive SNAP (food stamps), compared with 10.8% across Missouri.
Malden 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Malden | D− | 49% | 18.2% | 25% | CDC place |
| Cotton Hill Township | D− | 47.8% | 17.4% | 24.5% | ZIP codes |
Same-state neighbors only, ordered by length of shared border.
Every CDC estimate for Malden
Share of adults, 40 measures, with CDC’s likely range.
On the 32 measures below that have a better and a worse direction, Malden is better than Missouri on 1 and worse on 23; on the rest, the Missouri figure falls inside Malden’s likely range, so we call them about the same. Disability and SNAP are described, not compared as better or worse.
| Adults who… | Malden | MO | U.S. | vs MO |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall health | ||||
| Fair or poor health | 32.9%29.3–36.6 | 20.5% | 19.4% | Worse |
| Frequent physical distress (physical health not good 14+ days a month) | 20.5%18.2–22.8 | 14.2% | 13% | Worse |
| Frequent mental distress (mental health not good 14+ days a month) | 20.8%18.5–23.1 | 17.5% | 15.9% | Worse |
| Conditions | ||||
| Obesity | 49%41.6–56 | 36.6% | 32.9% | Worse |
| Diabetes | 18.2%15.9–20.4 | 12.1% | 12% | Worse |
| High blood pressure | 47.8%43.6–51.9 | 36.5% | 34.4% | Worse |
| High cholesterol (adults screened in 5 years) | 40.6%36.4–44.7 | 37.5% | 37.1% | About the same |
| Arthritis | 36.4%32.9–39.9 | 28.8% | 25.3% | Worse |
| Asthma | 12.2%10.7–13.7 | 10.6% | 9.9% | Worse |
| Cancer, other than skin cancer | 8.7%7.8–9.6 | 8.6% | 7.9% | About the same |
| Coronary heart disease | 9.9%8.8–11 | 6.8% | 6.4% | Worse |
| COPD | 13.5%11.8–15.1 | 8% | 6.3% | Worse |
| Stroke | 5.8%5.2–6.4 | 3.6% | 3.4% | Worse |
| Lost all teeth (ages 65+) | 30.3%25.8–35.1 | 15.8% | 12.3% | Worse |
| Habits | ||||
| Smoke cigarettes | 25%21.9–28.1 | 16% | 11.8% | Worse |
| No exercise outside work | 45.8%40.4–51 | 28.8% | 24.7% | Worse |
| Binge drinking | 12.3%10–14.8 | 16.3% | 15.4% | Better |
| Sleep under 7 hours | 42%35.9–48.1 | 36.5% | 36% | About the same |
| Checkups and coverage | ||||
| No health insurance (ages 18–64) | 13.1%11–15.4 | 8.7% | 11% | Worse |
| Checkup in the past year | 79.6%76–82.7 | 78.4% | 77.4% | About the same |
| Dentist visit in the past year | 46.8%43.1–50.4 | 60.4% | 63.2% | Worse |
| Cholesterol check in 5 years | 82.2%79.9–84.4 | 84.5% | 87.1% | Worse |
| Taking blood pressure medicine (adults with high blood pressure) | 79.8%77.1–82.2 | 77.2% | 76.5% | About the same |
| Colorectal cancer screening (ages 45–75) | 58%52.8–63 | 64% | 65.5% | Worse |
| Mammogram in 2 years (women 50–74) | 71.5%63.5–78.6 | 74.7% | 76.4% | About the same |
| Mind and connection | ||||
| Ever told they have depression | 26.1%22.5–29.9 | 24.3% | 20.6% | About the same |
| Feel lonely | 36.2%31.7–41.1 | 31.7% | 32.5% | About the same |
| Lack social and emotional support | 24.1%20.9–27.5 | 20.1% | 23.6% | Worse |
| Everyday needs | ||||
| Worried about having enough food | 26.9%23.5–30.4 | 13.7% | 15% | Worse |
| Worried about keeping housing | 20.5%18.1–23.2 | 12.1% | 12% | Worse |
| Threatened with a utility shut-off | 16%14.3–17.9 | 9% | 7.6% | Worse |
| Lack reliable transportation | 14.5%12.8–16.2 | 8.4% | 7.9% | Worse |
| Received SNAP (food stamps) | 25.6%22.5–28.9 | 10.8% | 11.6% | Higher |
| Disability | ||||
| Any disability | 49.3%44.5–54 | 36.2% | 30.1% | Higher |
| Difficulty walking or climbing stairs | 26.3%23.4–29.2 | 15.8% | 13.6% | Higher |
| Difficulty concentrating or remembering | 23.6%21.2–26.2 | 17.2% | 13.9% | Higher |
| Hearing difficulty | 10.9%9.7–12.2 | 8.3% | 6.7% | Higher |
| Vision difficulty | 9.2%8.3–10.2 | 5.1% | 5.4% | Higher |
| Difficulty doing errands alone | 14.8%13.1–16.5 | 9.2% | 7.9% | Higher |
| Difficulty dressing or bathing | 7.2%6.5–8 | 3.9% | 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 Missouri figure falls inside that range.
Questions about health in Malden
Is Malden a healthy place to live?
On seven CDC estimates for adults, Malden is near the bottom of U.S. towns: D− for health, #242 of 247 in Missouri. Among U.S. towns with similar household incomes it’s healthier than 4%. These are modeled estimates of who lives there, not a measure of local care or habits alone.
What is the obesity rate in Malden?
CDC estimates 49% of adults have obesity, likely between 41.6% and 56%, against 36.6% across Missouri and 32.9% nationally.
What hospital is closest to Malden?
Mercy Hospital Stoddard in Dexter, 14.4 miles in a straight line from Malden’s center point, is the nearest general hospital with an emergency room; Medicare rates it 2 of 5 stars.
How many people in Malden have no health insurance?
CDC estimates 13.1% of adults ages 18–64 have no health insurance (likely 11–15.4%), against 8.7% across Missouri.
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 Malden 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 Malden.
Health estimates: CDC PLACES: Local Data for Better Health, 2025 release. The Missouri 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.