Mansion House · Photo: Eric Schena · CC BY-SA 3.0Where McDowell residents get care
CDC publishes only some of its health estimates for McDowell, not the seven a Health Grade needs; here is what we do have.
Modeled estimates for adults 18+, CDC’s own estimate for McDowell. How CDC estimates town health
What stands out about health in McDowell
Cancer, heart disease and COPD run high in McDowell
1 in 7 adults have had cancer (13.4%), vs 7.7% across Virginia. 1 in 10 adults have heart disease (9.6%), vs 6.1% across Virginia. COPD is also above the state: 9.4%, vs 6.2% across Virginia. In all, McDowell runs above Virginia on seven of 11 chronic conditions. Conditions ↓
The nearest ER is 30 miles from McDowell
The closest emergency room is Bath Community Hospital in Hot Springs, 29.9 miles away in a straight line. For everyday care, Highland Medical Center is closer (6.3 mi) and charges on a sliding scale. Getting care ↓
More high blood pressure in McDowell, and more people treating it
43.3% of adults have high blood pressure (Virginia 35.4%), but 84% of them take medicine for it, vs 76.8% statewide. Checkups ↓
McDowell keeps up with checkups
It beats Virginia on three of five routine checkups and screenings, including yearly checkups (83.3% vs 79.2%) and cholesterol checks (91.1% vs 87.5%). 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 Virginia figure falls outside McDowell’s likely range.
Out of every 100 McDowell adults…
McDowell runs above VA on 7 of 12 conditions. Tap one to see it as people.
Care in and near McDowell
No hospital or community health center in McDowell 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 McDowell; ≈ 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 McDowell adults getting routine care. The full ring is 100%; the dark tick marks Virginia.
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.
How McDowell adults are doing
About the same as Virginia on each measure.
3 in 10 McDowell 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.
7.6% of McDowell adults receive SNAP (food stamps), compared with 10.7% across Virginia.
McDowell 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 McDowell adults live with a disability (Virginia 30%). Walking or climbing stairs is the most common.
Questions about health in McDowell
Why doesn’t McDowell have a Health Grade?
Every Health Grade is built from seven of CDC’s PLACES estimates, and CDC doesn’t publish all seven for McDowell.
What hospital is closest to McDowell?
Bath Community Hospital in Hot Springs, 29.9 miles in a straight line from McDowell’s center point, is the nearest general hospital with an emergency room. It has no Medicare star rating.
Where can I get low-cost care near McDowell?
1 community health center sites are within 10 miles; the nearest is Highland Medical Center in Monterey, 6.3 miles away. They charge on a sliding scale by income.
Neighbors talk health
Doctors taking patients, urgent care, staying active in McDowell.
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.