Photo: Doncram · CC BY-SA 4.0On CDC estimates, West Plains is healthier than 7% of U.S. towns
West Plains trails Missouri on 19 of 32 measures CDC estimates, and leads on none.
Modeled estimates for adults 18+, CDC’s own estimate for West Plains. How CDC estimates town health
What stands out about health in West Plains
COPD, stroke and heart disease run high in West Plains
1 in 8 adults have COPD (12.9%), vs 8% across Missouri. 1 in 20 adults have had a stroke (5.1%), vs 3.6% across Missouri. Heart disease is also above the state: 9.6%, vs 6.8% across Missouri. In all, West Plains runs above Missouri on five of 11 chronic conditions. Conditions ↓
Dental care lags in West Plains
49.7% of adults saw a dentist this year, vs 60.4% across Missouri. Among those 65 and older, 25.7% have lost all their teeth (Missouri 15.8%). Checkups ↓
West Plains is in the bottom 7% of U.S. towns for health
On the seven CDC estimates behind the Health Grade, West Plains is healthier than only 7% of U.S. towns. It earns a D on six of the seven. Health Grade ↓
West Plains is healthier than its income would predict
Against all U.S. towns, West Plains is healthier than 7%. Against the 3,677 towns with similar household incomes ($33K–$55K), it’s healthier than 28%. Health Grade ↓
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 West Plains’ likely range; at the ends of CDC’s ranges the grade could be anywhere from D− to C.
What’s behind West Plains’ grade
On seven CDC estimates for adults, West Plains is healthier than 7% of U.S. towns, #207 of 247 in Missouri. Obesity holds the grade up (fewer adults with obesity than 41% of U.S. towns); smoking pulls it down (better than 3%).
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). West Plains’ median household income is $44,002; among the 3,677 U.S. towns within 25% of that ($33K–$55K), it’s healthier than 28%, so it sits below most towns with similar incomes, too.
Out of every 100 West Plains adults…
West Plains runs above MO on 7 of 12 conditions. Tap one to see it as people.
Keeping up with care
Share of West Plains adults getting routine care. The full ring is 100%; the dark tick marks Missouri.
Care in and near West Plains
1 hospital and 1 community health center in West Plains, plus the nearest just outside it.
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 West Plains; ≈ 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 Missouri
Share of adults, with the Missouri figure marked.
13 miles of trails across 16 parks and preserves
How West Plains adults are doing
On 1 of 4 measures, West Plains runs above Missouri.
1 in 3 West Plains 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.
19.8% of West Plains adults receive SNAP (food stamps), compared with 10.8% across Missouri.
West Plains and the towns around it
How health changes across the town line.
Health next door
| Town | Health | Obesity | Diabetes | Smoking | Figures from |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| West Plains | D | 37.4% | 15.3% | 22.3% | CDC place |
Same-state neighbors only, ordered by length of shared border.
Living with a disability
Shown without a better/worse judgment.
of West Plains adults live with a disability (Missouri 36.2%). Walking or climbing stairs is the most common.
Every CDC estimate for West Plains
Share of adults, 40 measures, with CDC’s likely range.
On the 32 measures below that have a better and a worse direction, West Plains is better than Missouri on 0 and worse on 19; on the rest, the Missouri figure falls inside West Plains’ likely range, so we call them about the same. Disability and SNAP are described, not compared as better or worse.
| Adults who… | West Plains | MO | U.S. | vs MO |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall health | ||||
| Fair or poor health | 29.5%25.9–33 | 20.5% | 19.4% | Worse |
| Frequent physical distress (physical health not good 14+ days a month) | 18.8%16.6–21.1 | 14.2% | 13% | Worse |
| Frequent mental distress (mental health not good 14+ days a month) | 20.4%18.1–22.8 | 17.5% | 15.9% | Worse |
| Conditions | ||||
| Obesity | 37.4%29.9–45.5 | 36.6% | 32.9% | About the same |
| Diabetes | 15.3%13.3–17.3 | 12.1% | 12% | Worse |
| High blood pressure | 41.1%36.8–45.3 | 36.5% | 34.4% | Worse |
| High cholesterol (adults screened in 5 years) | 39.1%34.7–43.5 | 37.5% | 37.1% | About the same |
| Arthritis | 35.1%31.6–38.6 | 28.8% | 25.3% | Worse |
| Asthma | 11.6%10.3–13.1 | 10.6% | 9.9% | About the same |
| Cancer, other than skin cancer | 9.6%8.6–10.5 | 8.6% | 7.9% | About the same |
| Coronary heart disease | 9.6%8.6–10.7 | 6.8% | 6.4% | Worse |
| COPD | 12.9%11.3–14.5 | 8% | 6.3% | Worse |
| Stroke | 5.1%4.6–5.6 | 3.6% | 3.4% | Worse |
| Lost all teeth (ages 65+) | 25.7%21.8–30.1 | 15.8% | 12.3% | Worse |
| Habits | ||||
| Smoke cigarettes | 22.3%19.3–25.4 | 16% | 11.8% | Worse |
| No exercise outside work | 36.6%31.6–42 | 28.8% | 24.7% | Worse |
| Binge drinking | 14%11.4–16.9 | 16.3% | 15.4% | About the same |
| Sleep under 7 hours | 38.9%32.5–45.6 | 36.5% | 36% | About the same |
| Checkups and coverage | ||||
| No health insurance (ages 18–64) | 11.8%9.8–13.8 | 8.7% | 11% | Worse |
| Checkup in the past year | 78.3%74.6–81.7 | 78.4% | 77.4% | About the same |
| Dentist visit in the past year | 49.7%45.8–53.6 | 60.4% | 63.2% | Worse |
| Cholesterol check in 5 years | 80.6%78.2–82.9 | 84.5% | 87.1% | Worse |
| Taking blood pressure medicine (adults with high blood pressure) | 78.2%75.4–80.7 | 77.2% | 76.5% | About the same |
| Colorectal cancer screening (ages 45–75) | 59.5%54.2–64.8 | 64% | 65.5% | About the same |
| Mammogram in 2 years (women 50–74) | 70.3%62.3–78 | 74.7% | 76.4% | About the same |
| Mind and connection | ||||
| Ever told they have depression | 27.6%23.8–31.8 | 24.3% | 20.6% | About the same |
| Feel lonely | 32.7%27.9–37.9 | 31.7% | 32.5% | About the same |
| Lack social and emotional support | 20.4%17.3–23.8 | 20.1% | 23.6% | About the same |
| Everyday needs | ||||
| Worried about having enough food | 21.1%18.1–24.5 | 13.7% | 15% | Worse |
| Worried about keeping housing | 15.4%13.3–17.8 | 12.1% | 12% | Worse |
| Threatened with a utility shut-off | 12.1%10.6–13.8 | 9% | 7.6% | Worse |
| Lack reliable transportation | 11.9%10.5–13.6 | 8.4% | 7.9% | Worse |
| Received SNAP (food stamps) | 19.8%17–22.6 | 10.8% | 11.6% | Higher |
| Disability | ||||
| Any disability | 45.9%41–50.8 | 36.2% | 30.1% | Higher |
| Difficulty walking or climbing stairs | 22.9%20.2–25.6 | 15.8% | 13.6% | Higher |
| Difficulty concentrating or remembering | 22.8%20.2–25.4 | 17.2% | 13.9% | Higher |
| Hearing difficulty | 11.6%10.3–12.9 | 8.3% | 6.7% | Higher |
| Vision difficulty | 8%7.2–9 | 5.1% | 5.4% | Higher |
| Difficulty doing errands alone | 13.9%12.3–15.5 | 9.2% | 7.9% | Higher |
| Difficulty dressing or bathing | 6.1%5.5–6.8 | 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 West Plains
Is West Plains a healthy place to live?
On seven CDC estimates for adults, West Plains is healthier than 7% of U.S. towns: D for health, #207 of 247 in Missouri. Among U.S. towns with similar household incomes it’s healthier than 28%. These are modeled estimates of who lives there, not a measure of local care or habits alone.
What is the obesity rate in West Plains?
CDC estimates 37.4% of adults have obesity, likely between 29.9% and 45.5%, against 36.6% across Missouri and 32.9% nationally.
What hospital is closest to West Plains?
Ozarks Healthcare in West Plains, 0.4 miles in a straight line from West Plains’ center point, is the nearest general hospital with an emergency room; Medicare rates it 2 of 5 stars.
How many people in West Plains have no health insurance?
CDC estimates 11.8% of adults ages 18–64 have no health insurance (likely 9.8–13.8%), 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 West Plains more than anything measured there. At the ends of CDC’s ranges the grade could be anywhere from D− to C.
Neighbors talk health
Doctors taking patients, urgent care, staying active in West Plains.
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.