Laurel Mills Historic District · Photo: self · CC BY 3.0Where Washington residents get care
CDC publishes only some of its health estimates for Washington, not the seven a Health Grade needs; here is what we do have.
Modeled estimates for adults 18+, CDC’s own estimate for Washington. How CDC estimates town health
What stands out about health in Washington
Cancer, heart disease and COPD run high in Washington
1 in 7 adults have had cancer (14.4%), about twice the Virginia rate. 1 in 10 adults have heart disease (10.1%), vs 6.1% across Virginia. COPD is also above the state: 10%, vs 6.2% across Virginia. In all, Washington runs above Virginia on eight of 11 chronic conditions. Conditions ↓
More high blood pressure in Washington, and more people treating it
45.2% of adults have high blood pressure (Virginia 35.4%), but 84.8% of them take medicine for it, vs 76.8% statewide. Checkups ↓
Washington is short on primary care and dental care
Washington’s county is a federal shortage area for primary care and dental care, meaning too few providers for the people who live there. Getting care ↓
Washington keeps up with checkups
It beats Virginia on three of five routine checkups and screenings, including yearly checkups (83.9% vs 79.2%) and cholesterol checks (91.5% 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 Washington’s likely range.
Out of every 100 Washington adults…
Washington runs above VA on 8 of 12 conditions. Tap one to see it as people.
Keeping up with care
Share of Washington adults getting routine care. The full ring is 100%; the dark tick marks Virginia.
Care in and near Washington
No hospital or community health center in Washington 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 Washington; ≈ 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 Virginia
Share of adults, with the Virginia figure marked.
Walk with neighbors
The easiest exercise habit to keep is one with company.
How Washington adults are doing
About the same as Virginia on each measure.
3 in 10 Washington 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.
7.5% of Washington adults receive SNAP (food stamps), compared with 10.7% across Virginia.
Washington 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 Washington adults live with a disability (Virginia 30%). Walking or climbing stairs is the most common.
Questions about health in Washington
Why doesn’t Washington have a Health Grade?
Every Health Grade is built from seven of CDC’s PLACES estimates, and CDC doesn’t publish all seven for Washington.
What hospital is closest to Washington?
Warren Memorial Hospital in Front Royal, 15.2 miles in a straight line from Washington’s center point, is the nearest general hospital with an emergency room. Medicare rates it 2 of 5 stars.
Neighbors talk health
Doctors taking patients, urgent care, staying active in Washington.
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.