Photo: Magnolia677 · CC BY 4.0Where Breaks residents get care
CDC publishes only some of its health estimates for Breaks, not the seven a Health Grade needs; here is what we do have.
Modeled estimates for adults 18+, CDC’s own estimate for Breaks. How CDC estimates town health
What stands out about health in Breaks
Dental care lags in Breaks
55.6% of adults saw a dentist this year, vs 67.9% across Virginia. Among those 65 and older, 22.3% have lost all their teeth (Virginia 11.1%). Breaks’ county is a federal shortage area for dental care. Checkups ↓
COPD, heart disease and stroke run high in Breaks
1 in 9 adults have COPD (10.8%), vs 6.2% across Virginia. 1 in 11 adults have heart disease (9.3%), vs 6.1% across Virginia. Stroke is also above the state: 4.5%, vs 3.3% across Virginia. In all, Breaks runs above Virginia on nine of 11 chronic conditions. Conditions ↓
Smoking is more common in Breaks
1 in 5 adults smoke cigarettes (18.4%), 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 Breaks’ likely range.
Keeping up with care
Share of Breaks adults getting routine care. The full ring is 100%; the dark tick marks Virginia.
Out of every 100 Breaks adults…
Breaks runs above VA on 10 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.
0.8 miles of trails across 1 park or preserve
Care in and near Breaks
No hospital or community health center in Breaks 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 Breaks; ≈ 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 Breaks adults are doing
On 2 of 4 measures, Breaks runs above Virginia.
1 in 3 Breaks 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.
11.9% of Breaks adults receive SNAP (food stamps), compared with 10.7% across Virginia.
Breaks 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 Breaks adults live with a disability (Virginia 30%). Walking or climbing stairs is the most common.
Questions about health in Breaks
Why doesn’t Breaks have a Health Grade?
Every Health Grade is built from seven of CDC’s PLACES estimates, and CDC doesn’t publish all seven for Breaks.
What hospital is closest to Breaks?
Buchanan General Hospital in Grundy, 11.6 miles in a straight line from Breaks’ center point, is the nearest general hospital with an emergency room. Medicare rates it 4 of 5 stars.
Where can I get low-cost care near Breaks?
3 community health center sites are within 10 miles; the nearest is Elkhorn City Medical Clinic in Elkhorn City, 4.0 miles away. They charge on a sliding scale by income.
Neighbors talk health
Doctors taking patients, urgent care, staying active in Breaks.
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.