Where Waves residents get care
CDC publishes only some of its health estimates for Waves, not the seven a Health Grade needs; here is what we do have.
Modeled estimates for adults 18+, CDC’s own estimate for Waves. How CDC estimates town health
What stands out about health in Waves
Cancer and arthritis run high in Waves
1 in 9 adults have had cancer (11.4%), vs 7.9% across North Carolina. 1 in 3 adults have arthritis (32.9%), vs 26.9% across North Carolina. In all, Waves runs above North Carolina on three of 11 chronic conditions. Conditions ↓
The nearest ER is 27 miles from Waves
The closest emergency room is The Outer Banks Hospital in Nags Head, 27.1 miles away in a straight line. Getting care ↓
Waves keeps up with checkups
It beats North Carolina on three of five routine checkups and screenings, including dentist visits (72.2% vs 63.6%) and cholesterol checks (92% vs 87.5%). Checkups ↓
Fewer Waves adults struggle to make ends meet
Worries about food, housing, utility bills and getting around all run below North Carolina. 1 in 11 adults worry about having enough food, vs 1 in 7 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 North Carolina figure falls outside Waves’ likely range.
Out of every 100 Waves adults…
Waves runs below NC on 1 of 12 conditions and above it on 3. Tap one to see it as people.
Care in and near Waves
No hospital or community health center in Waves 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 Waves; ≈ 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 Waves adults getting routine care. The full ring is 100%; the dark tick marks North Carolina.
Making ends meet
Needs that shape health as much as any doctor visit: food, housing, utilities and a way to get around.
7.3% of Waves adults receive SNAP (food stamps), compared with 12.3% across North Carolina.
Everyday habits, side by side with North Carolina
Share of adults, with the North Carolina figure marked.
1.3 miles of trails across 1 park or preserve
How Waves adults are doing
About the same as North Carolina on each measure.
3 in 10 Waves 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.
Waves and the towns around it
How health changes across the town line.
Living with a disability
Shown without a better/worse judgment.
of Waves adults live with a disability (North Carolina 32%). Walking or climbing stairs is the most common.
Questions about health in Waves
Why doesn’t Waves have a Health Grade?
Every Health Grade is built from seven of CDC’s PLACES estimates, and CDC doesn’t publish all seven for Waves.
What hospital is closest to Waves?
The Outer Banks Hospital in Nags Head, 27.1 miles in a straight line from Waves’ center point, is the nearest general hospital with an emergency room. Medicare rates it 4 of 5 stars.
Neighbors talk health
Doctors taking patients, urgent care, staying active in Waves.
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.