Where Velarde residents get care
CDC publishes only some of its health estimates for Velarde, not the seven a Health Grade needs; here is what we do have.
Modeled estimates for adults 18+, CDC’s own estimate for Velarde. How CDC estimates town health
What stands out about health in Velarde
Diabetes runs high in Velarde
1 in 6 adults have diabetes (17.8%), vs 13.2% across New Mexico. Conditions ↓
Velarde is short on primary care and mental health care
Velarde’s county is a federal shortage area for primary care and mental health care, meaning too few providers for the people who live there. Getting care ↓
Velarde adults report less mental distress
Frequent mental distress (13.4% vs 16.1%) and depression (18% vs 23.2%) both run below New Mexico. Mind & connection ↓
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 Velarde’s likely range.
Out of every 100 Velarde adults…
Velarde runs below NM on 1 of 12 conditions and above it on 1. Tap one to see it as people.
Care in and near Velarde
No hospital or community health center in Velarde 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 Velarde; ≈ 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 Velarde adults are doing
On 2 of 4 measures, Velarde does better than New Mexico.
1 in 3 Velarde 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.
Everyday habits, side by side with New Mexico
Share of adults, with the New Mexico figure marked.
Walk with neighbors
The easiest exercise habit to keep is one with company.
Keeping up with care
Share of Velarde adults getting routine care. The full ring is 100%; the dark tick marks New Mexico.
Making ends meet
Needs that shape health as much as any doctor visit: food, housing, utilities and a way to get around.
15.9% of Velarde adults receive SNAP (food stamps), compared with 16.9% across New Mexico.
Velarde and the towns around it
How health changes across the town line.
Health next door
| Town | Health | Obesity | Diabetes | Smoking | Figures from |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canova | — | — | — | — |
Canova: fewer than 1,000 residents. Same-state neighbors only, ordered by length of shared border.
Living with a disability
Shown without a better/worse judgment.
of Velarde adults live with a disability (New Mexico 34%). Walking or climbing stairs is the most common.
Questions about health in Velarde
Why doesn’t Velarde have a Health Grade?
Every Health Grade is built from seven of CDC’s PLACES estimates, and CDC doesn’t publish all seven for Velarde.
What hospital is closest to Velarde?
Presbyterian Espanola Hospital in Espanola, 13.3 miles in a straight line from Velarde’s center point, is the nearest general hospital with an emergency room. It has no Medicare star rating.
Where can I get low-cost care near Velarde?
1 community health center sites are within 10 miles; the nearest is Embudo Medical Clinic in Dixon, 5.9 miles away. They charge on a sliding scale by income.
Neighbors talk health
Doctors taking patients, urgent care, staying active in Velarde.
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.