Gaston School · Photo: Frank Womble · CC BY-SA 4.0Where Gaston residents get care
CDC publishes only some of its health estimates for Gaston, not the seven a Health Grade needs; here is what we do have.
Modeled estimates for adults 18+, CDC’s own estimate for Gaston. How CDC estimates town health
What stands out about health in Gaston
Stroke, COPD and heart disease run high in Gaston
1 in 15 adults have had a stroke (6.6%), vs 3.6% across North Carolina. 1 in 8 adults have COPD (13%), vs 7.1% across North Carolina. Heart disease is also above the state: 10.9%, vs 6.6% across North Carolina. In all, Gaston runs above North Carolina on nine of 11 chronic conditions. Conditions ↓
More Gaston adults get no exercise
1 in 3 adults get no exercise outside work (35.8%), vs 23.8% across North Carolina. Habits ↓
Making ends meet is harder in Gaston
1 in 4 adults worry about having enough food (26.9%), vs 15.2% across North Carolina. Utility shut-off threats (14% vs 8.1%) and no reliable transportation (13.3% vs 8.4%) are higher too. 26.1% of adults receive SNAP, vs 12.3% 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 North Carolina figure falls outside Gaston’s likely range.
Out of every 100 Gaston adults…
Gaston runs above NC on 10 of 12 conditions. Tap one to see it as people.
Everyday habits, side by side with North Carolina
Share of adults, with the North Carolina figure marked.
1.1 miles of trails across 2 parks and preserves
Making ends meet
Needs that shape health as much as any doctor visit: food, housing, utilities and a way to get around.
26.1% of Gaston adults receive SNAP (food stamps), compared with 12.3% across North Carolina.
Care in and near Gaston
No hospital or community health center in Gaston 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 Gaston; ≈ 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 Gaston adults getting routine care. The full ring is 100%; the dark tick marks North Carolina.
How Gaston adults are doing
On 1 of 4 measures, Gaston runs above North Carolina.
1 in 3 Gaston 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.
Gaston 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 Gaston adults live with a disability (North Carolina 32%). Walking or climbing stairs is the most common.
Questions about health in Gaston
Why doesn’t Gaston have a Health Grade?
Every Health Grade is built from seven of CDC’s PLACES estimates, and CDC doesn’t publish all seven for Gaston.
What hospital is closest to Gaston?
Ecu Health North Hospital in Roanoke Rapids, 6.5 miles in a straight line from Gaston’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 Gaston?
7 community health center sites are within 10 miles; the nearest is Rural Health Group at Drugco Express in Roanoke Rapids, 3.0 miles away. They charge on a sliding scale by income.
Neighbors talk health
Doctors taking patients, urgent care, staying active in Gaston.
Health estimates: CDC PLACES: Local Data for Better Health, 2025 release. The North Carolina 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.