How healthy is Union?
Union differs from Iowa on 8 of 40 measures. It has fewer adults facing housing insecurity (7.6% vs 9.4%) and more adults treating high blood pressure (81.4% vs 77.8%). Where it trails the state: more adults who have had cancer (11.3% vs 8.7%).
Modeled estimates for adults 18+, CDC’s own estimate for Union. How CDC estimates town health
What stands out about health in Union
Read from the numbers below. The page puts what stands out first.
Out of every 100 Union adults…
Union runs above IA on 5 of 12 conditions. Tap one to see it as people.
Union is an older town: 28% of residents are 65 or older, vs 18% across Iowa. Heart disease, arthritis and stroke rise with age, so higher rates here say as much about who lives in Union as about how healthy they are.
Care in and near Union
No hospital or community health center in Union 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 Union; ≈ 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 Iowa
Share of adults, with the Iowa figure marked.
Walk with neighbors
The easiest exercise habit to keep is one with company.
Keeping up with care
Share of Union adults getting routine care. The full ring is 100%; the dark tick marks Iowa.
How Union adults are doing
About the same as Iowa on each measure.
1 in 3 Union 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.
8.4% of Union adults receive SNAP (food stamps), compared with 10% across Iowa.
Living with a disability
Shown without a better/worse judgment.
of Union adults live with a disability (Iowa 28.1%). Walking or climbing stairs is the most common.
Not graded
Health Grades cover towns with 1,000 or more residents. CDC's estimates for a place of 378 people are less certain, so we show Union's figures without a grade.
All 40 CDC measures for Union
| Measure | Union | Likely range | Iowa | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chronic conditions | ||||
| High blood pressure | 39.7% | 35.3–44.2% | 33.9% | worse |
| High cholesterol | 38.1% | 33.8–42.8% | 35.3% | about the same |
| Obesity | 37.9% | 30.4–45.8% | 37.7% | about the same |
| Arthritis | 31.4% | 27.8–35.2% | 27% | worse |
| Depression | 19.5% | 16.5–23% | 20.7% | about the same |
| Lost all teeth (65+) | 12.8% | 10.4–15.6% | 11.6% | about the same |
| Asthma | 9.8% | 8.6–11.1% | 9.9% | about the same |
| Cancer (not skin) | 11.3% | 10.1–12.5% | 8.7% | worse |
| Diabetes | 13% | 11–15.1% | 11.2% | about the same |
| COPD | 8% | 6.5–9.6% | 6.9% | about the same |
| Heart disease | 8.3% | 7.1–9.5% | 6.6% | worse |
| Stroke | 4% | 3.4–4.7% | 3.3% | worse |
| Habits | ||||
| Smoke cigarettes | 15% | 11.9–18.3% | 14.5% | about the same |
| Binge drink | 18.9% | 15.8–22.6% | 20.5% | about the same |
| Get no exercise | 25.9% | 21–31.3% | 24.8% | about the same |
| Sleep under 7 hours | 30.1% | 24–36.6% | 32.5% | about the same |
| Care & screenings | ||||
| Yearly checkup | 80.2% | 76.8–83.4% | 77.5% | about the same |
| Dentist visit | 66.7% | 63.1–70.4% | 66.8% | about the same |
| Cholesterol check | 87.4% | 85.4–89.3% | 84.1% | better |
| Colon screening | 64.7% | 59.8–69.5% | 66.6% | about the same |
| Mammogram | 79.4% | 72.2–85.6% | 78.7% | about the same |
| Taking BP meds | 81.4% | 78.5–84% | 77.8% | better |
| No health insurance | 6.1% | 4.7–8.1% | 7.3% | about the same |
| Mind & connection | ||||
| Feel lonely | 29.6% | 24.9–34.5% | 32.3% | about the same |
| Lack emotional support | 21.5% | 18.1–25.2% | 23.3% | about the same |
| Frequent mental distress | 15% | 12.9–17.2% | 16.4% | about the same |
| Fair or poor health | 18.2% | 15.1–21.9% | 17.8% | about the same |
| Frequent physical distress | 13.5% | 11.4–15.8% | 12.7% | about the same |
| Everyday needs | ||||
| Food insecurity | 9.8% | 7.6–12.2% | 12% | about the same |
| Housing insecurity | 7.6% | 6.1–9.2% | 9.4% | better |
| Utility shut-off threat | 5.5% | 4.5–6.5% | 6.4% | about the same |
| No reliable transportation | 5.7% | 4.8–6.8% | 6.8% | about the same |
| Receive SNAP | 8.4% | 6.4–10.6% | 10% | |
| Disability | ||||
| Any disability | 29.2% | 24.6–34.1% | 28.1% | |
| Walking or climbing stairs | 14.8% | 12.1–17.6% | 12.7% | |
| Thinking or memory | 12.6% | 10.5–14.8% | 13.5% | |
| Hearing | 9.3% | 8.1–10.6% | 7.4% | |
| Vision | 4.5% | 3.7–5.2% | 4.3% | |
| Dressing or bathing | 3.7% | 3.1–4.4% | 3.4% | |
| Errands alone | 7.6% | 6.2–8.9% | 7.4% | |
How CDC estimates town health
CDC combines a large national health survey with each area’s age, sex, race and income mix to estimate local rates. Nobody surveyed Union door to door.
Every figure has a likely range. When the Iowa figure falls inside it, we don’t call Union better or worse.
CDC publishes Union directly, so these are its own figures.
Neighbors talk health
Doctors taking patients, urgent care, staying active in Union.
Your answer becomes a post in Town Square.
Health estimates: CDC PLACES: Local Data for Better Health, 2025 release. The Iowa 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.