Where Fernwood residents get care
CDC publishes only some of its health estimates for Fernwood, not the seven a Health Grade needs; here is what we do have.
Modeled estimates for adults 18+, CDC’s own estimate for Fernwood. How CDC estimates town health
What stands out about health in Fernwood
COPD, heart disease and stroke run high in Fernwood
1 in 7 adults have COPD (14.4%), vs 8.6% across Mississippi. 1 in 8 adults have heart disease (12.1%), vs 7.5% across Mississippi. Stroke is also above the state: 6.8%, vs 4.5% across Mississippi. In all, Fernwood runs above Mississippi on eight of 11 chronic conditions. Conditions ↓
Smoking is more common in Fernwood
1 in 5 adults smoke cigarettes (22%), vs 16.9% across Mississippi. Habits ↓
More high blood pressure in Fernwood, and more people treating it
53.8% of adults have high blood pressure (Mississippi 44.9%), but 84.3% of them take medicine for it, vs 79.7% statewide. Checkups ↓
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 Mississippi figure falls outside Fernwood’s likely range.
Out of every 100 Fernwood adults…
Fernwood runs above MS on 8 of 12 conditions. Tap one to see it as people.
Everyday habits, side by side with Mississippi
Share of adults, with the Mississippi figure marked.
Walk with neighbors
The easiest exercise habit to keep is one with company.
Keeping up with care
Share of Fernwood adults getting routine care. The full ring is 100%; the dark tick marks Mississippi.
Care in and near Fernwood
No hospital or community health center in Fernwood 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 Fernwood; ≈ 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).
How Fernwood adults are doing
About the same as Mississippi on each measure.
1 in 3 Fernwood 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.
16.5% of Fernwood adults receive SNAP (food stamps), compared with 13.6% across Mississippi.
Fernwood and the towns around it
How health changes across the town line.
Health next door
| Town | Health | Obesity | Diabetes | Smoking | Figures from |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Magnolia | D− | 48.5% | 21.3% | 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 Fernwood adults live with a disability (Mississippi 38.1%). Walking or climbing stairs is the most common.
Questions about health in Fernwood
Why doesn’t Fernwood have a Health Grade?
Every Health Grade is built from seven of CDC’s PLACES estimates, and CDC doesn’t publish all seven for Fernwood.
What hospital is closest to Fernwood?
Southwest MS Regional Medical Center in Mccomb, 4.1 miles in a straight line from Fernwood’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 Fernwood?
1 community health center sites are within 10 miles; the nearest is Pike County Medical Services in Mccomb, 4.7 miles away. They charge on a sliding scale by income.
Neighbors talk health
Doctors taking patients, urgent care, staying active in Fernwood.
Health estimates: CDC PLACES: Local Data for Better Health, 2025 release. The Mississippi 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.