Photo: Nyttend · Public domainWhere Big Island residents get care
CDC publishes only some of its health estimates for Big Island, not the seven a Health Grade needs; here is what we do have.
Modeled estimates for adults 18+, CDC’s own estimate for Big Island. How CDC estimates town health
What stands out about health in Big Island
COPD, heart disease and stroke run high in Big Island
1 in 11 adults have COPD (9.1%), vs 6.2% across Virginia. 1 in 12 adults have heart disease (8.5%), vs 6.1% across Virginia. Stroke is also above the state: 4.3%, vs 3.3% across Virginia. In all, Big Island runs above Virginia on six of 11 chronic conditions. Conditions ↓
More Big Island adults get no exercise
3 in 10 adults get no exercise outside work (29.6%), vs 23.8% across Virginia. Habits ↓
Smoking is more common in Big Island
1 in 6 adults smoke cigarettes (16.2%), vs 12.2% across Virginia. 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 Virginia figure falls outside Big Island’s likely range.
Out of every 100 Big Island adults…
Big Island runs above VA on 7 of 12 conditions. Tap one to see it as people.
Everyday habits, side by side with Virginia
Share of adults, with the Virginia figure marked.
Walk with neighbors
The easiest exercise habit to keep is one with company.
Care in and near Big Island
No hospital or community health center in Big Island 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 Big Island; ≈ 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).
Keeping up with care
Share of Big Island adults getting routine care. The full ring is 100%; the dark tick marks Virginia.
How Big Island adults are doing
About the same as Virginia on each measure.
1 in 3 Big Island 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.
11.4% of Big Island adults receive SNAP (food stamps), compared with 10.7% across Virginia.
Big Island 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 Big Island adults live with a disability (Virginia 30%). Walking or climbing stairs is the most common.
Questions about health in Big Island
Why doesn’t Big Island have a Health Grade?
Every Health Grade is built from seven of CDC’s PLACES estimates, and CDC doesn’t publish all seven for Big Island.
What hospital is closest to Big Island?
Centra Health - Lynchburg Gen Hospital in Lynchburg, 13.2 miles in a straight line from Big Island’s center point, is the nearest general hospital with an emergency room. Medicare rates it 3 of 5 stars.
Neighbors talk health
Doctors taking patients, urgent care, staying active in Big Island.
Health estimates: CDC PLACES: Local Data for Better Health, 2025 release. The Virginia 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.