Among U.S. towns with similar household incomes, China is healthier than 81%
China differs from Texas on 16 of 31 measures CDC estimates: 10 better, 6 worse.
Modeled estimates for adults 18+, CDC’s own estimate for China. How CDC estimates town health
What stands out about health in China
China is healthier than its income would predict
Against all U.S. towns, China is healthier than 49%. Against the 7,440 towns with similar household incomes ($41K–$69K), it’s healthier than 81%. Health Grade ↓
Cancer, arthritis and stroke run high in China
1 in 11 adults have had cancer (8.8%), vs 6.1% across Texas. 3 in 10 adults have arthritis (28.9%), vs 21.6% across Texas. Stroke is also above the state: 4.1%, vs 3.2% across Texas. In all, China runs above Texas on six of 11 chronic conditions. Conditions ↓
More high blood pressure in China, and more people treating it
39.8% of adults have high blood pressure (Texas 33.1%), but 79.9% of them take medicine for it, vs 74.1% statewide. Checkups ↓
China keeps up with checkups
It beats Texas on four of five routine checkups and screenings, including yearly checkups (78.2% vs 73.8%) and dentist visits (59.5% vs 54.6%). 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 Texas figure falls outside China’s likely range; at the ends of CDC’s ranges the grade could be anywhere from C− to A−.
What’s behind China’s grade
On seven CDC estimates for adults, China is healthier than 49% of U.S. towns. Smoking holds the grade up (fewer adults who smoke than 67% of U.S. towns); diabetes pulls it down (better than 27%).
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). China’s median household income is $55,104; among the 7,440 U.S. towns within 25% of that ($41K–$69K), it’s healthier than 81%, more than its income alone would suggest.
Where China compares well: taking blood pressure medicine (adults with high blood pressure), 79.9% (U.S. 76.5%).
Out of every 100 China adults…
China runs above TX on 6 of 12 conditions. Tap one to see it as people.
Keeping up with care
Share of China adults getting routine care. The full ring is 100%; the dark tick marks Texas.
Care in and near China
No hospital or community health center in China 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 China; ≈ 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 Texas
Share of adults, with the Texas figure marked.
0.2 miles of trails across 1 park or preserve
How China adults are doing
About the same as Texas on each measure.
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.
11.8% of China adults receive SNAP (food stamps), compared with 14.6% across Texas.
China and the towns around it
How health changes across the town line.
Health next door
| Town | Health | Obesity | Diabetes | Smoking | Figures from |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| China | B− | 36.9% | 13.7% | 13% | CDC place |
Same-state neighbors only, ordered by length of shared border.
Living with a disability
Shown without a better/worse judgment.
of China adults live with a disability (Texas 30.9%). Walking or climbing stairs is the most common.
Every CDC estimate for China
Share of adults, 39 measures, with CDC’s likely range.
On the 31 measures below that have a better and a worse direction, China is better than Texas on 10 and worse on 6; on the rest, the Texas figure falls inside China’s likely range, so we call them about the same. Disability and SNAP are described, not compared as better or worse.
| Adults who… | China | TX | U.S. | vs TX |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall health | ||||
| Fair or poor health | 20.6%17.8–23.5 | 21.8% | 19.4% | About the same |
| Frequent physical distress (physical health not good 14+ days a month) | 13.7%12–15.6 | 13.2% | 13% | About the same |
| Frequent mental distress (mental health not good 14+ days a month) | 16.9%14.9–19 | 16.9% | 15.9% | About the same |
| Conditions | ||||
| Obesity | 36.9%29.3–45.1 | 35.6% | 32.9% | About the same |
| Diabetes | 13.7%11.9–15.8 | 12.7% | 12% | About the same |
| High blood pressure | 39.8%35.4–44.1 | 33.1% | 34.4% | Worse |
| High cholesterol (adults screened in 5 years) | 37.9%33.4–42.5 | 35.1% | 37.1% | About the same |
| Arthritis | 28.9%25.4–32.4 | 21.6% | 25.3% | Worse |
| Asthma | 10.8%9.5–12.1 | 9.5% | 9.9% | About the same |
| Cancer, other than skin cancer | 8.8%8–9.8 | 6.1% | 7.9% | Worse |
| Coronary heart disease | 7.1%6.3–7.9 | 5.6% | 6.4% | Worse |
| COPD | 7.3%6.3–8.4 | 5.7% | 6.3% | Worse |
| Stroke | 4.1%3.7–4.5 | 3.2% | 3.4% | Worse |
| Lost all teeth (ages 65+) | 12%9.9–14.4 | 12.5% | 12.3% | About the same |
| Habits | ||||
| Smoke cigarettes | 13%10.9–15.3 | 12.5% | 11.8% | About the same |
| No exercise outside work | 25.6%21.3–30.4 | 27.8% | 24.7% | About the same |
| Binge drinking | 15.5%12.7–18.7 | 17% | 15.4% | About the same |
| Sleep under 7 hours | 37.4%32.6–42 | 38.2% | 36% | About the same |
| Checkups and coverage | ||||
| No health insurance (ages 18–64) | 11%9.1–13.3 | 19.1% | 11% | Better |
| Checkup in the past year | 78.2%74.6–81.7 | 73.8% | 77.4% | Better |
| Dentist visit in the past year | 59.5%56.2–62.8 | 54.6% | 63.2% | Better |
| Cholesterol check in 5 years | 88.4%86.9–89.9 | 84.6% | 87.1% | Better |
| Taking blood pressure medicine (adults with high blood pressure) | 79.9%77.1–82.5 | 74.1% | 76.5% | Better |
| Colorectal cancer screening (ages 45–75) | 66.5%62.2–70.5 | 57.9% | 65.5% | Better |
| Mammogram in 2 years (women 50–74) | 71.8%64.7–78 | 74.1% | 76.4% | About the same |
| Mind and connection | ||||
| Ever told they have depression | 21.8%18.5–25.4 | 21.2% | 20.6% | About the same |
| Lack social and emotional support | 27.8%24.6–31.1 | 28.4% | 23.6% | About the same |
| Everyday needs | ||||
| Worried about having enough food | 15.9%14.3–17.4 | 19.3% | 15% | Better |
| Worried about keeping housing | 13.6%12.2–15.1 | 16.4% | 12% | Better |
| Threatened with a utility shut-off | 9.4%8.3–10.5 | 10.7% | 7.6% | Better |
| Lack reliable transportation | 8.7%7.9–9.5 | 10.5% | 7.9% | Better |
| Received SNAP (food stamps) | 11.8%10.5–13.1 | 14.6% | 11.6% | Lower |
| Disability | ||||
| Any disability | 32.6%28.2–37.3 | 30.9% | 30.1% | About the same |
| Difficulty walking or climbing stairs | 16.2%14.1–18.6 | 14% | 13.6% | Higher |
| Difficulty concentrating or remembering | 13.9%12.1–15.8 | 15.1% | 13.9% | About the same |
| Hearing difficulty | 7.4%6.6–8.4 | 6.3% | 6.7% | Higher |
| Vision difficulty | 5.1%4.6–5.8 | 6.1% | 5.4% | Lower |
| Difficulty doing errands alone | 8.3%7.3–9.5 | 8.2% | 7.9% | About the same |
| Difficulty dressing or bathing | 4.1%3.6–4.6 | 4% | 3.8% | About the same |
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 Texas figure falls inside that range.
Questions about health in China
Is China a healthy place to live?
On seven CDC estimates for adults, China is healthier than 49% of U.S. towns: ≈ B− for health. These are modeled estimates of who lives there, not a measure of local care or habits alone.
What is the obesity rate in China?
CDC estimates 36.9% of adults have obesity, likely between 29.3% and 45.1%, against 35.6% across Texas and 32.9% nationally.
What hospital is closest to China?
Christus Southeast Texas- St. Elizabeth in Beaumont, 12.4 miles in a straight line from China’s center point, is the nearest general hospital with an emergency room; Medicare rates it 4 of 5 stars.
How many people in China have no health insurance?
CDC estimates 11% of adults ages 18–64 have no health insurance (likely 9.1–13.3%), against 19.1% across Texas.
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 China more than anything measured there. At the ends of CDC’s ranges the grade could be anywhere from C− to A−.
Neighbors talk health
Doctors taking patients, urgent care, staying active in China.
Health estimates: CDC PLACES: Local Data for Better Health, 2025 release. The Texas 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.