Photo: Hourick · Public domainAmong U.S. towns with similar household incomes, Tenaha is healthier than 51%
Tenaha differs from Texas on 20 of 31 measures CDC estimates: 1 better, 19 worse.
Modeled estimates for adults 18+, CDC’s own estimate for Tenaha. How CDC estimates town health
What stands out about health in Tenaha
Tenaha is in the bottom 4% of U.S. towns for health
On the seven CDC estimates behind the Health Grade, Tenaha is healthier than only 4% of U.S. towns. It earns a D on all of them. Health Grade ↓
Dental care lags in Tenaha
43.5% of adults saw a dentist this year, vs 54.6% across Texas. Among those 65 and older, 21.2% have lost all their teeth (Texas 12.5%). Checkups ↓
COPD, stroke and diabetes run high in Tenaha
1 in 11 adults have COPD (8.8%), vs 5.7% across Texas. 1 in 22 adults have had a stroke (4.5%), vs 3.2% across Texas. Diabetes is also above the state: 17%, vs 12.7% across Texas. In all, Tenaha runs above Texas on eight of 11 chronic conditions. Conditions ↓
Tenaha is healthier than its income would predict
Against all U.S. towns, Tenaha is healthier than 4%. Against the 398 towns with similar household incomes ($21K–$35K), it’s healthier than 51%. Health Grade ↓
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 Tenaha’s likely range.
What’s behind Tenaha’s grade
On seven CDC estimates for adults, Tenaha is healthier than 4% of U.S. towns. All seven of Tenaha’s estimates fall in the lowest 13% of U.S. towns. The furthest from typical is obesity: 45.2% of adults, against 35.6% across Texas and 32.9% 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). Tenaha’s median household income is $27,813; among the 398 U.S. towns within 25% of that ($21K–$35K), it’s healthier than 51%, about where its income would put it.
Where Tenaha compares well: cancer, other than skin cancer, 5.4% (U.S. 7.9%).
Keeping up with care
Share of Tenaha adults getting routine care. The full ring is 100%; the dark tick marks Texas.
Out of every 100 Tenaha adults…
Tenaha runs below TX on 1 of 12 conditions and above it on 9. Tap one to see it as people.
Only 12% of Tenaha residents are 65 or older, vs 13% across Texas. Cancer run low partly because the town is young.
Care in and near Tenaha
1 community health center in Tenaha, plus the nearest just outside it.
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 Tenaha; ≈ 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.
Walk with neighbors
The easiest exercise habit to keep is one with company.
How Tenaha adults are doing
On 1 of 3 measures, Tenaha runs above Texas.
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.
28.2% of Tenaha adults receive SNAP (food stamps), compared with 14.6% across Texas.
Tenaha and the towns around it
How health changes across the town line.
Health next door
| Town | Health | Obesity | Diabetes | Smoking | Figures from |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tenaha | D− | 45.2% | 17% | 19.3% | CDC place |
Same-state neighbors only, ordered by length of shared border.
Living with a disability
Shown without a better/worse judgment.
of Tenaha adults live with a disability (Texas 30.9%). Walking or climbing stairs is the most common.
Every CDC estimate for Tenaha
Share of adults, 39 measures, with CDC’s likely range.
On the 31 measures below that have a better and a worse direction, Tenaha is better than Texas on 1 and worse on 19; on the rest, the Texas figure falls inside Tenaha’s likely range, so we call them about the same. Disability and SNAP are described, not compared as better or worse.
| Adults who… | Tenaha | TX | U.S. | vs TX |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall health | ||||
| Fair or poor health | 31.5%27.7–35.6 | 21.8% | 19.4% | Worse |
| Frequent physical distress (physical health not good 14+ days a month) | 17.1%15–19.4 | 13.2% | 13% | Worse |
| Frequent mental distress (mental health not good 14+ days a month) | 20.8%18.4–23.3 | 16.9% | 15.9% | Worse |
| Conditions | ||||
| Obesity | 45.2%36.4–54.7 | 35.6% | 32.9% | Worse |
| Diabetes | 17%14.8–19.3 | 12.7% | 12% | Worse |
| High blood pressure | 41.1%36.7–45.7 | 33.1% | 34.4% | Worse |
| High cholesterol (adults screened in 5 years) | 36.4%32–41.1 | 35.1% | 37.1% | About the same |
| Arthritis | 25.8%22.7–29.3 | 21.6% | 25.3% | Worse |
| Asthma | 11.7%10.4–13.3 | 9.5% | 9.9% | Worse |
| Cancer, other than skin cancer | 5.4%4.8–6 | 6.1% | 7.9% | Better |
| Coronary heart disease | 6.8%6–7.6 | 5.6% | 6.4% | Worse |
| COPD | 8.8%7.6–10 | 5.7% | 6.3% | Worse |
| Stroke | 4.5%4.1–5 | 3.2% | 3.4% | Worse |
| Lost all teeth (ages 65+) | 21.2%17.5–25.2 | 12.5% | 12.3% | Worse |
| Habits | ||||
| Smoke cigarettes | 19.3%16.5–22.4 | 12.5% | 11.8% | Worse |
| No exercise outside work | 37.9%32.3–43.7 | 27.8% | 24.7% | Worse |
| Binge drinking | 14.7%11.9–17.8 | 17% | 15.4% | About the same |
| Sleep under 7 hours | 44.3%36.3–52.5 | 38.2% | 36% | About the same |
| Checkups and coverage | ||||
| No health insurance (ages 18–64) | 22.6%18.8–26.3 | 19.1% | 11% | About the same |
| Checkup in the past year | 75.1%71–78.9 | 73.8% | 77.4% | About the same |
| Dentist visit in the past year | 43.5%39.6–47.5 | 54.6% | 63.2% | Worse |
| Cholesterol check in 5 years | 82.3%79.7–84.6 | 84.6% | 87.1% | About the same |
| Taking blood pressure medicine (adults with high blood pressure) | 76.1%73.1–78.9 | 74.1% | 76.5% | About the same |
| Colorectal cancer screening (ages 45–75) | 52.8%46.9–58.6 | 57.9% | 65.5% | About the same |
| Mammogram in 2 years (women 50–74) | 73.1%64.1–80.6 | 74.1% | 76.4% | About the same |
| Mind and connection | ||||
| Ever told they have depression | 22.9%19.5–27 | 21.2% | 20.6% | About the same |
| Lack social and emotional support | 31.8%27.8–36.1 | 28.4% | 23.6% | About the same |
| Everyday needs | ||||
| Worried about having enough food | 30.1%27.4–32.9 | 19.3% | 15% | Worse |
| Worried about keeping housing | 24.4%21.8–27 | 16.4% | 12% | Worse |
| Threatened with a utility shut-off | 17.5%15.6–19.5 | 10.7% | 7.6% | Worse |
| Lack reliable transportation | 15.3%13.9–16.7 | 10.5% | 7.9% | Worse |
| Received SNAP (food stamps) | 28.2%25.7–30.8 | 14.6% | 11.6% | Higher |
| Disability | ||||
| Any disability | 39.4%34.4–44.6 | 30.9% | 30.1% | Higher |
| Difficulty walking or climbing stairs | 20.3%17.8–23.1 | 14% | 13.6% | Higher |
| Difficulty concentrating or remembering | 20.2%17.7–22.8 | 15.1% | 13.9% | Higher |
| Hearing difficulty | 6.6%5.9–7.5 | 6.3% | 6.7% | About the same |
| Vision difficulty | 9.2%8.2–10.4 | 6.1% | 5.4% | Higher |
| Difficulty doing errands alone | 12.6%11.1–14.3 | 8.2% | 7.9% | Higher |
| Difficulty dressing or bathing | 6.7%5.9–7.6 | 4% | 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 Texas figure falls inside that range.
Questions about health in Tenaha
Is Tenaha a healthy place to live?
On seven CDC estimates for adults, Tenaha is healthier than 4% of U.S. towns: D− 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 Tenaha?
CDC estimates 45.2% of adults have obesity, likely between 36.4% and 54.7%, against 35.6% across Texas and 32.9% nationally.
What hospital is closest to Tenaha?
UT Health East Texas Carthage Hospital in Carthage, 16.5 miles in a straight line from Tenaha’s center point, is the nearest general hospital with an emergency room; Medicare rates it 5 of 5 stars.
How many people in Tenaha have no health insurance?
CDC estimates 22.6% of adults ages 18–64 have no health insurance (likely 18.8–26.3%), 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 Tenaha more than anything measured there. At the ends of CDC’s ranges the grade could be anywhere from D− to C−.
Neighbors talk health
Doctors taking patients, urgent care, staying active in Tenaha.
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.