Photo: Brian Stansberry · CC BY 4.0Where Golden residents get care
CDC publishes only some of its health estimates for Golden, not the seven a Health Grade needs; here is what we do have.
Modeled estimates for adults 18+, CDC’s own estimate for Golden. How CDC estimates town health
What stands out about health in Golden
Cancer, heart disease and arthritis run high in Golden
1 in 7 adults have had cancer (14.1%), about twice the Mississippi rate. 1 in 8 adults have heart disease (11.8%), vs 7.5% across Mississippi. Arthritis is also above the state: 41.8%, vs 29.9% across Mississippi. In all, Golden runs above Mississippi on six of 11 chronic conditions. Conditions ↓
More high blood pressure in Golden, and more people treating it
50.3% of adults have high blood pressure (Mississippi 44.9%), but 86% of them take medicine for it, vs 79.7% statewide. Checkups ↓
Fewer Golden adults struggle to make ends meet
Worries about food, housing, utility bills and getting around all run below Mississippi. 1 in 7 adults worry about having enough food, vs 22.4% of adults statewide. Everyday needs ↓
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 Golden’s likely range.
Out of every 100 Golden adults…
Golden runs above MS on 7 of 12 conditions. Tap one to see it as people.
Keeping up with care
Share of Golden adults getting routine care. The full ring is 100%; the dark tick marks Mississippi.
Making ends meet
Needs that shape health as much as any doctor visit: food, housing, utilities and a way to get around.
7.8% of Golden adults receive SNAP (food stamps), compared with 13.6% across Mississippi.
Care in and near Golden
No hospital or community health center in Golden 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 Golden; ≈ 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 Mississippi
Share of adults, with the Mississippi figure marked.
Walk with neighbors
The easiest exercise habit to keep is one with company.
How Golden adults are doing
On 2 of 4 measures, Golden does better than Mississippi.
1 in 3 Golden 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.
Golden 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 Golden adults live with a disability (Mississippi 38.1%). Walking or climbing stairs is the most common.
Questions about health in Golden
Why doesn’t Golden have a Health Grade?
Every Health Grade is built from seven of CDC’s PLACES estimates, and CDC doesn’t publish all seven for Golden.
What hospital is closest to Golden?
Red Bay Hospital in Red Bay, 3.1 miles in a straight line from Golden’s center point, is the nearest general hospital with an emergency room. It has no Medicare star rating.
Neighbors talk health
Doctors taking patients, urgent care, staying active in Golden.
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.