Bernard Franklin House · Photo: Bonitalh · CC BY-SA 4.0Where Lowgap residents get care
CDC publishes only some of its health estimates for Lowgap, not the seven a Health Grade needs; here is what we do have.
Modeled estimates for adults 18+, CDC’s own estimate for Lowgap. How CDC estimates town health
What stands out about health in Lowgap
COPD, heart disease and cancer run high in Lowgap
1 in 9 adults have COPD (10.7%), vs 7.1% across North Carolina. 1 in 12 adults have heart disease (8.6%), vs 6.6% across North Carolina. Cancer is also above the state: 10.2%, vs 7.9% across North Carolina. In all, Lowgap runs above North Carolina on five of 11 chronic conditions. Conditions ↓
Dental care lags in Lowgap
58.2% of adults saw a dentist this year, vs 63.6% across North Carolina. Among those 65 and older, 18.1% have lost all their teeth (North Carolina 13.9%). Checkups ↓
Smoking is more common in Lowgap
1 in 6 adults smoke cigarettes (18.1%), vs 13.5% across North Carolina. Habits ↓
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 Lowgap’s likely range.
Out of every 100 Lowgap adults…
Lowgap runs above NC on 6 of 12 conditions. Tap one to see it as people.
Keeping up with care
Share of Lowgap adults getting routine care. The full ring is 100%; the dark tick marks North Carolina.
Everyday habits, side by side with North Carolina
Share of adults, with the North Carolina figure marked.
0 miles of trails across 1 park or preserve
Care in and near Lowgap
No hospital or community health center in Lowgap 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 Lowgap; ≈ 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 Lowgap adults are doing
About the same as North Carolina on each measure.
1 in 3 Lowgap 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.
12.8% of Lowgap adults receive SNAP (food stamps), compared with 12.3% across North Carolina.
Lowgap 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 Lowgap adults live with a disability (North Carolina 32%). Walking or climbing stairs is the most common.
Questions about health in Lowgap
Why doesn’t Lowgap have a Health Grade?
Every Health Grade is built from seven of CDC’s PLACES estimates, and CDC doesn’t publish all seven for Lowgap.
What hospital is closest to Lowgap?
Twin County Regional Hospital in Galax, 10.6 miles in a straight line from Lowgap’s center point, is the nearest general hospital with an emergency room. Medicare rates it 2 of 5 stars.
Neighbors talk health
Doctors taking patients, urgent care, staying active in Lowgap.
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.