Where Benson residents get care
CDC publishes only some of its health estimates for Benson, not the seven a Health Grade needs; here is what we do have.
Modeled estimates for adults 18+, from ZIP code 12134. How CDC estimates town health
What stands out about health in Benson
COPD, cancer and heart disease run high in Benson
1 in 10 adults have COPD (9.6%), vs 6% across New York. 1 in 9 adults have had cancer (11.6%), vs 7.7% across New York. Heart disease is also above the state: 9%, vs 6.1% across New York. In all, Benson runs above New York on nine of 11 chronic conditions. Age is part of it: 34% of residents are 65 or older (New York 18%), and COPD, cancer and heart disease are more common later in life. Conditions ↓
More high blood pressure in Benson, and more people treating it
41.2% of adults have high blood pressure (New York 32.6%), but 82% of them take medicine for it, vs 77.2% statewide. Checkups ↓
Smoking is more common in Benson
1 in 7 adults smoke cigarettes (15.1%), vs 11.3% across New York. Habits ↓
Benson is short on primary care and mental health care
Benson’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 ↓
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 York figure falls outside Benson’s likely range; Benson’s figures come from ZIP code 12134, which may reach past town lines.
Out of every 100 Benson adults…
Benson runs above NY on 12 of 12 conditions. Tap one to see it as people.
Benson is an older town: 34% of residents are 65 or older, vs 18% across New York. Heart disease, COPD and arthritis rise with age, so higher rates here say as much about who lives in Benson as about how healthy they are.
Keeping up with care
Share of Benson adults getting routine care. The full ring is 100%; the dark tick marks New York.
Everyday habits, side by side with New York
Share of adults, with the New York figure marked.
34 miles of trails across 3 parks and preserves
Care in and near Benson
No hospital or community health center in Benson 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 Benson; ≈ 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 Benson adults are doing
On 1 of 4 measures, Benson runs above New York.
3 in 10 Benson 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.
12.9% of Benson adults receive SNAP (food stamps), compared with 14.1% across New York.
Benson and the towns around it
How health changes across the town line.
Nearby towns are shaded from CDC’s estimates for their ZIP codes, or CDC’s own figure for cities and villages.
Health next door
| Town | Health | Obesity | Diabetes | Smoking | Figures from |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hope | — | — | — | — | |
| Bleecker | — | — | — | — | |
| Mayfield | C | 36.9% | 13% | 17.3% | ZIP codes |
| Wells | — | — | — | — | |
| Northampton | C+ | 35.8% | 13.3% | 15.9% | ZIP codes |
Hope, Bleecker and Wells: 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 Benson adults live with a disability (New York 27.2%). Walking or climbing stairs is the most common.
Questions about health in Benson
Why doesn’t Benson have a Health Grade?
Every Health Grade is built from seven of CDC’s PLACES estimates, and CDC doesn’t publish all seven for Benson.
What hospital is closest to Benson?
Nathan Littauer Hospital in Gloversville, 15.4 miles in a straight line from Benson’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 Benson.
Health estimates: CDC PLACES: Local Data for Better Health, 2025 release. The New York 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.