Where Hecla residents get care
CDC publishes only some of its health estimates for Hecla, not the seven a Health Grade needs; here is what we do have.
Modeled estimates for adults 18+, CDC’s own estimate for Hecla. How CDC estimates town health
What stands out about health in Hecla
Cancer, arthritis and heart disease run high in Hecla
1 in 7 adults have had cancer (14.5%), vs 9.2% across South Dakota. 2 in 5 adults have arthritis (38.8%), vs 25.8% across South Dakota. Heart disease is also above the state: 9.4%, vs 6.8% across South Dakota. In all, Hecla runs above South Dakota on seven of 11 chronic conditions. Conditions ↓
More high blood pressure in Hecla, and more people treating it
41.5% of adults have high blood pressure (South Dakota 33.3%), but 85.5% of them take medicine for it, vs 75.9% statewide. Checkups ↓
Hecla keeps up with checkups
It beats South Dakota on four of five routine checkups and screenings, including yearly checkups (84.3% vs 76.5%) and dentist visits (72.7% vs 69.2%). 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 South Dakota figure falls outside Hecla’s likely range.
Out of every 100 Hecla adults…
Hecla runs below SD on 2 of 12 conditions and above it on 7. Tap one to see it as people.
Keeping up with care
Share of Hecla adults getting routine care. The full ring is 100%; the dark tick marks South Dakota.
Care in and near Hecla
No hospital or community health center in Hecla 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 Hecla; ≈ 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 South Dakota
Share of adults, with the South Dakota figure marked.
Walk with neighbors
The easiest exercise habit to keep is one with company.
How Hecla adults are doing
On 2 of 2 measures, Hecla does better than South Dakota.
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.
Hecla 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 Hecla adults live with a disability (South Dakota 30.1%). Walking or climbing stairs is the most common.
Questions about health in Hecla
Why doesn’t Hecla have a Health Grade?
Every Health Grade is built from seven of CDC’s PLACES estimates, and CDC doesn’t publish all seven for Hecla.
What hospital is closest to Hecla?
CHI Oakes Hospital in Oakes, 18.5 miles in a straight line from Hecla’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 Hecla.
Health estimates: CDC PLACES: Local Data for Better Health, 2025 release. The South Dakota 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.