Photo: Magnolia677 · CC BY 4.0Where Big Sandy residents get care
CDC publishes only some of its health estimates for Big Sandy, not the seven a Health Grade needs; here is what we do have.
Modeled estimates for adults 18+, CDC’s own estimate for Big Sandy. How CDC estimates town health
What stands out about health in Big Sandy
Dental care lags in Big Sandy
32% of adults saw a dentist this year, vs 55.5% across West Virginia. Among those 65 and older, 56.9% have lost all their teeth (West Virginia 19.5%). Big Sandy’s county is a federal shortage area for dental care. Checkups ↓
COPD, stroke and diabetes run high in Big Sandy
1 in 5 adults have COPD (19.8%), about twice the West Virginia rate. 1 in 15 adults have had a stroke (6.7%), vs 4.2% across West Virginia. Diabetes is also above the state: 23.7%, vs 15.9% across West Virginia. In all, Big Sandy runs above West Virginia on six of 11 chronic conditions. Conditions ↓
Making ends meet is harder in Big Sandy
2 in 5 adults worry about having enough food (37.8%), more than twice the West Virginia rate. Utility shut-off threats (25.1% vs 11%) and no reliable transportation (18.9% vs 8.9%) are higher too. 49.4% of adults receive SNAP, vs 17.8% statewide. Everyday needs ↓
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 West Virginia figure falls outside Big Sandy’s likely range.
Keeping up with care
Share of Big Sandy adults getting routine care. The full ring is 100%; the dark tick marks West Virginia.
Out of every 100 Big Sandy adults…
Big Sandy runs below WV on 1 of 12 conditions and above it on 8. Tap one to see it as people.
Making ends meet
Needs that shape health as much as any doctor visit: food, housing, utilities and a way to get around.
49.4% of Big Sandy adults receive SNAP (food stamps), compared with 17.8% across West Virginia.
Care in and near Big Sandy
No hospital or community health center in Big Sandy 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 Sandy; ≈ 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 West Virginia
Share of adults, with the West Virginia figure marked.
0 miles of trails across 1 park or preserve
How Big Sandy adults are doing
On 1 of 4 measures, Big Sandy runs above West Virginia.
4 in 10 Big Sandy 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.
Big Sandy 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 Sandy adults live with a disability (West Virginia 39.2%). Walking or climbing stairs is the most common.
Questions about health in Big Sandy
Why doesn’t Big Sandy 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 Sandy.
What hospital is closest to Big Sandy?
Welch Community Hospital in Welch, 6.6 miles in a straight line from Big Sandy’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 Big Sandy?
1 community health center sites are within 10 miles; the nearest is New River Health Association - Welch in Welch, 6.7 miles away. They charge on a sliding scale by income.
Neighbors talk health
Doctors taking patients, urgent care, staying active in Big Sandy.
Health estimates: CDC PLACES: Local Data for Better Health, 2025 release. The West 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.