Oglala’s CDC health estimates rank near the bottom of U.S. towns
Oglala differs from South Dakota on 25 of 26 measures CDC estimates: 3 better, 22 worse.
Modeled estimates for adults 18+, CDC’s own estimate for Oglala. How CDC estimates town health
What stands out about health in Oglala
Dental care lags in Oglala
28.4% of adults saw a dentist this year, vs 69.2% across South Dakota. Among those 65 and older, 53.8% have lost all their teeth (South Dakota 12.7%). Checkups ↓
Smoking is more common in Oglala
45.2% of adults smoke cigarettes, vs 15.2% across South Dakota (3 times the South Dakota rate). Habits ↓
More Oglala adults get no exercise
44.8% of adults get no exercise outside work, vs 24.1% across South Dakota (about twice the South Dakota rate). Habits ↓
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 Oglala’s likely range.
What’s behind Oglala’s grade
On seven CDC estimates for adults, Oglala is near the bottom of U.S. towns. All seven of Oglala’s estimates fall in the lowest 1% of U.S. towns. The furthest from typical is smoking: 45.2% of adults, against 15.2% across South Dakota and 11.8% nationally.
Health estimates follow income closely across the country: towns with higher household incomes usually score higher (a correlation of 0.77 across 21,157 graded towns). Oglala’s median household income is $21,330; among the 100 U.S. towns within 25% of that ($16K–$27K), it’s healthier than 3%, so it sits below most towns with similar incomes, too.
Where Oglala compares well: high cholesterol (adults screened in 5 years), 30.1% (U.S. 37.1%); cancer, other than skin cancer, 4.7% (U.S. 7.9%).
Keeping up with care
Share of Oglala adults getting routine care. The full ring is 100%; the dark tick marks South Dakota.
Everyday habits, side by side with South Dakota
Share of adults, with the South Dakota figure marked.
Out of every 100 Oglala adults…
Oglala runs below SD on 2 of 12 conditions and above it on 9. Tap one to see it as people.
Only 4% of Oglala residents are 65 or older, vs 18% across South Dakota. Cancer run low partly because the town is young.
Care in and near Oglala
No hospital or community health center in Oglala 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 Oglala; ≈ 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 Oglala adults are doing
On 2 of 2 measures, Oglala runs above 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.
Oglala and the towns around it
How health changes across the town line.
Health next door
| Town | Health | Obesity | Diabetes | Smoking | Figures from |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oglala | D− | 48.9% | 23.1% | 45.2% | CDC place |
Same-state neighbors only, ordered by length of shared border.
Living with a disability
Shown without a better/worse judgment.
of Oglala adults live with a disability (South Dakota 30.1%). Thinking or memory is the most common.
Every CDC estimate for Oglala
Share of adults, 33 measures, with CDC’s likely range.
On the 26 measures below that have a better and a worse direction, Oglala is better than South Dakota on 3 and worse on 22; on the rest, the South Dakota figure falls inside Oglala’s likely range, so we call them about the same. Disability and SNAP are described, not compared as better or worse.
| Adults who… | Oglala | SD | U.S. | vs SD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall health | ||||
| Fair or poor health | 45.7%39.6–51.6 | 17.3% | 19.4% | Worse |
| Frequent physical distress (physical health not good 14+ days a month) | 25.3%22–28.8 | 12.3% | 13% | Worse |
| Frequent mental distress (mental health not good 14+ days a month) | 28.1%24.6–31.4 | 15.3% | 15.9% | Worse |
| Conditions | ||||
| Obesity | 48.9%42.7–55.6 | 35.9% | 32.9% | Worse |
| Diabetes | 23.1%20.6–26 | 11.7% | 12% | Worse |
| High blood pressure | 40.2%36.3–44.3 | 33.3% | 34.4% | Worse |
| High cholesterol (adults screened in 5 years) | 30.1%26.6–33.8 | 34% | 37.1% | Better |
| Arthritis | 27.3%24.6–30.5 | 25.8% | 25.3% | About the same |
| Asthma | 16.1%14.1–18.2 | 10.1% | 9.9% | Worse |
| Cancer, other than skin cancer | 4.7%4.2–5.2 | 9.2% | 7.9% | Better |
| Coronary heart disease | 10.7%9.4–12.2 | 6.8% | 6.4% | Worse |
| COPD | 16.1%13.6–18.6 | 6.7% | 6.3% | Worse |
| Stroke | 7.1%6.2–8 | 3.5% | 3.4% | Worse |
| Lost all teeth (ages 65+) | 53.8%48.1–59.6 | 12.7% | 12.3% | Worse |
| Habits | ||||
| Smoke cigarettes | 45.2%39–51 | 15.2% | 11.8% | Worse |
| No exercise outside work | 44.8%38.5–51 | 24.1% | 24.7% | Worse |
| Binge drinking | 14.8%12.2–17.9 | 18.8% | 15.4% | Better |
| Sleep under 7 hours | 43.2%37.9–48.8 | 29.7% | 36% | Worse |
| Checkups and coverage | ||||
| No health insurance (ages 18–64) | 22.6%17.3–28.3 | 8.8% | 11% | Worse |
| Checkup in the past year | 70.1%65.7–74.5 | 76.5% | 77.4% | Worse |
| Dentist visit in the past year | 28.4%25.4–31.8 | 69.2% | 63.2% | Worse |
| Cholesterol check in 5 years | 68.1%63.5–72.4 | 84.8% | 87.1% | Worse |
| Taking blood pressure medicine (adults with high blood pressure) | 68.7%65.4–71.9 | 75.9% | 76.5% | Worse |
| Colorectal cancer screening (ages 45–75) | 38.6%33.9–43.6 | 65.5% | 65.5% | Worse |
| Mammogram in 2 years (women 50–74) | 51.9%43.3–60.7 | 76.6% | 76.4% | Worse |
| Mind and connection | ||||
| Ever told they have depression | 25.7%21.9–29.6 | 21.2% | 20.6% | Worse |
| Disability | ||||
| Any disability | 56.3%50–62.2 | 30.1% | 30.1% | Higher |
| Difficulty walking or climbing stairs | 29.3%25.4–33.2 | 12.9% | 13.6% | Higher |
| Difficulty concentrating or remembering | 32.4%27.7–37 | 13.7% | 13.9% | Higher |
| Hearing difficulty | 13.9%12.2–15.7 | 8.2% | 6.7% | Higher |
| Vision difficulty | 20.5%17.6–23.4 | 4.7% | 5.4% | Higher |
| Difficulty doing errands alone | 24.5%20.9–28.1 | 7.8% | 7.9% | Higher |
| Difficulty dressing or bathing | 12.2%10.4–14.1 | 3.5% | 3.8% | Higher |
Each figure is the share of adults 18+ unless the label says otherwise; small numbers after it are CDC’s likely range (95% interval). “About the same” means the South Dakota figure falls inside that range.
Questions about health in Oglala
Is Oglala a healthy place to live?
On seven CDC estimates for adults, Oglala is near the bottom of U.S. towns: D− for health. Among U.S. towns with similar household incomes it’s healthier than 3%. These are modeled estimates of who lives there, not a measure of local care or habits alone.
What is the obesity rate in Oglala?
CDC estimates 48.9% of adults have obesity, likely between 42.7% and 55.6%, against 35.9% across South Dakota and 32.9% nationally.
What hospital is closest to Oglala?
Pine Ridge Ihs Hospital in Pine Ridge, 11.0 miles in a straight line from Oglala’s center point, is the nearest general hospital with an emergency room; it has no Medicare star rating.
How many people in Oglala have no health insurance?
CDC estimates 22.6% of adults ages 18–64 have no health insurance (likely 17.3–28.3%), against 8.8% across South Dakota.
How accurate are these numbers?
They’re modeled estimates: CDC applies national survey answers to each area’s age, sex, race and education mix, so they describe who lives in Oglala more than anything measured there. Even at the ends of CDC’s ranges the grade stays D−.
Neighbors talk health
Doctors taking patients, urgent care, staying active in Oglala.
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. The Health Grade is our own summary of CDC’s estimates, not an official rating. 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.