Where Ponderosa residents get care
CDC publishes only some of its health estimates for Ponderosa, not the seven a Health Grade needs; here is what we do have.
Modeled estimates for adults 18+, CDC’s own estimate for Ponderosa. How CDC estimates town health
What stands out about health in Ponderosa
Ponderosa is an older town
45% of residents are 65 or older, vs 19% across New Mexico. Conditions like heart disease and arthritis become more common with age, so keep that in mind when comparing Ponderosa with the state. Conditions ↓
The nearest ER is 24 miles from Ponderosa
The closest emergency room is Los Alamos Medical Center in Los Alamos, 24.3 miles away in a straight line. Getting care ↓
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 New Mexico figure falls outside Ponderosa’s likely range.
Out of every 100 Ponderosa adults…
Ponderosa runs below NM on 2 of 12 conditions. Tap one to see it as people.
Ponderosa is an older town: 45% of residents are 65 or older, vs 19% across New Mexico. Many conditions rise with age, so higher rates here say as much about who lives in Ponderosa as about how healthy they are.
Care in and near Ponderosa
No hospital or community health center in Ponderosa 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 Ponderosa; ≈ 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 New Mexico
Share of adults, with the New Mexico figure marked.
3 miles of trails across 1 park or preserve
Keeping up with care
Share of Ponderosa adults getting routine care. The full ring is 100%; the dark tick marks New Mexico.
How Ponderosa adults are doing
About the same as New Mexico on each measure.
1 in 3 Ponderosa 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.
12.6% of Ponderosa adults receive SNAP (food stamps), compared with 16.9% across New Mexico.
Ponderosa 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 Ponderosa adults live with a disability (New Mexico 34%). Walking or climbing stairs is the most common.
Questions about health in Ponderosa
Why doesn’t Ponderosa have a Health Grade?
Every Health Grade is built from seven of CDC’s PLACES estimates, and CDC doesn’t publish all seven for Ponderosa.
What hospital is closest to Ponderosa?
Los Alamos Medical Center in Los Alamos, 24.3 miles in a straight line from Ponderosa’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 Ponderosa.
Health estimates: CDC PLACES: Local Data for Better Health, 2025 release. The New Mexico 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.