Where Oriental residents get care
CDC publishes only some of its health estimates for Oriental, not the seven a Health Grade needs; here is what we do have.
Modeled estimates for adults 18+, CDC’s own estimate for Oriental. How CDC estimates town health
What stands out about health in Oriental
Cancer, heart disease and arthritis run high in Oriental
1 in 6 adults have had cancer (16.2%), about twice the North Carolina rate. 1 in 9 adults have heart disease (11%), vs 6.6% across North Carolina. Arthritis is also above the state: 42.6%, vs 26.9% across North Carolina. In all, Oriental runs above North Carolina on eight of 11 chronic conditions. Age is part of it: 71% of residents are 65 or older (North Carolina 17%), and cancer, heart disease and arthritis are more common later in life. Conditions ↓
More high blood pressure in Oriental, and more people treating it
50.4% of adults have high blood pressure (North Carolina 36.8%), but 87.1% of them take medicine for it, vs 76.7% statewide. Checkups ↓
The nearest ER is 22 miles from Oriental
The closest emergency room is Carteret General Hospital in Morehead City, 21.7 miles away in a straight line. For everyday care, Contentnea Health Pamlico is closer (9.4 mi) and charges on a sliding scale. Getting care ↓
Oriental keeps up with checkups
It beats North Carolina on four of five routine checkups and screenings, including yearly checkups (87.9% vs 80%) and dentist visits (72.1% vs 63.6%). 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 North Carolina figure falls outside Oriental’s likely range.
Out of every 100 Oriental adults…
Oriental runs above NC on 8 of 12 conditions. Tap one to see it as people.
Oriental is an older town: 71% of residents are 65 or older, vs 17% across North Carolina. Heart disease, COPD and arthritis rise with age, so higher rates here say as much about who lives in Oriental as about how healthy they are.
Keeping up with care
Share of Oriental adults getting routine care. The full ring is 100%; the dark tick marks North Carolina.
Care in and near Oriental
No hospital or community health center in Oriental 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 Oriental; ≈ 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 North Carolina
Share of adults, with the North Carolina figure marked.
1.1 miles of trails across 2 parks and preserves
How Oriental adults are doing
On 3 of 4 measures, Oriental does better than North Carolina.
1 in 4 Oriental 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.
6.2% of Oriental adults receive SNAP (food stamps), compared with 12.3% across North Carolina.
Oriental 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 Oriental adults live with a disability (North Carolina 32%). Walking or climbing stairs is the most common.
Questions about health in Oriental
Why doesn’t Oriental have a Health Grade?
Every Health Grade is built from seven of CDC’s PLACES estimates, and CDC doesn’t publish all seven for Oriental.
What hospital is closest to Oriental?
Carteret General Hospital in Morehead City, 21.7 miles in a straight line from Oriental’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 Oriental?
1 community health center sites are within 10 miles; the nearest is Contentnea Health Pamlico in Bayboro, 9.4 miles away. They charge on a sliding scale by income.
Neighbors talk health
Doctors taking patients, urgent care, staying active in Oriental.
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.