Health · Thoreau
Thoreau, NM health
Thoreau differs from New Mexico on 26 of 40 measures. It has fewer adults who have had cancer (5.4% vs 7.4%). Where it trails the state: more older adults who have lost all their teeth (40.7% vs 14.2%).
CDC PLACES 2025 · adults 18+ · CDC's estimate for ThoreauTownTapestry Health GradeNew
D−
Thoreau’s Health Grade: D−
On seven CDC health estimates for adults, Thoreau is healthier than 2% of U.S. towns.
D-Self-rated healthD-Physical distressD-Mental distressDObesityD-DiabetesD-SmokingDExercise
All U.S. towns we grade (19,420)Healthier than 2%
Less healthyHealthier
New Mexico towns we grade (163)Healthier than 5%
Towns with similar incomes, $34K–$57K (3,892)Healthier than 7%
About what its income would suggest. Thoreau does about as well against towns with similar incomes as against all towns.
These are estimates. At the ends of CDC’s likely ranges, Thoreau could be anywhere from D− to D.
How the Health Grade works
- Seven CDC estimates. Adults in fair or poor health, frequent physical distress, frequent mental distress, obesity, diabetes, smoking and no exercise (CDC PLACES, 2025 release). On each one a town earns the share of U.S. towns doing worse, and those shares are averaged. It’s the same score as our Healthiest towns in New Mexico ranking.
- Graded on a national curve. Every U.S. town with 1,000+ residents and all seven estimates (19,420 places) is lined up by score: A+ top 5%A next 10%A- next 10%B B+ to B−, next 30%C C+ to C−, next 30%D D and D−, bottom 15%
- Not adjusted for income. Wealthier towns are usually healthier, and the grade shows that as it is. The similar-incomes bar compares Thoreau with U.S. towns whose median household income is within 25% of its own.
- Modeled, not measured. CDC combines national survey answers with each area’s age, sex, race and income mix. Thoreau uses CDC’s own estimate for it. High blood pressure is left out because it tracks age more than anything else. The confidence line recomputes the grade with every estimate at the low, then the high, end of its range.
Report card
How Thoreau compares with New Mexico
Each theme counts how many of its measures are better, worse or too close to call against the state. Tap one to jump to it.
Chronic conditions
41.4% have obesity
1 better4 close7 worse
Habits
33.2% get no exercise
0 better1 close3 worse
Care & screenings
64.3% had a checkup
0 better1 close6 worse
Mind & connection
39.9% feel lonely
0 better0 close5 worse
Everyday needs
46.3% face food insecurity
0 better1 close4 worse
Disability
45.6% have a disability
7 measures · shown without a better/worse judgment
Chronic conditions
Out of every 100 Thoreau adults…
37 of every 100 Thoreau adults have high blood pressure
New Mexico: 34 in 100 · too close to call · margin 33.6–41.1%
Bars show Thoreau; the black tick is New Mexico. Tap a condition to see it as people.
Habits
Everyday habits, side by side with the state
Thoreau, betterThoreau, worseToo close to callNew Mexico
Get no exerciseshare of adults
33.2% Thoreau
NM 25.6%
NM 25.6%
Sleep under 7 hoursshare of adults
42.2% Thoreau
NM 32.7%
NM 32.7%
Binge drinkshare of adults
12.7% Thoreau
NM 13.7%
NM 13.7%
Smoke cigarettesshare of adults
29.6% Thoreau
NM 13.4%
NM 13.4%
0%10%20%30%40%50%
Care & screenings
Keeping up with care
Share of Thoreau adults getting routine care. The full ring is 100%; the dark tick marks New Mexico.
Yearly checkup
NM 69%Dentist visit
NM 61%Cholesterol check
NM 83%Colon screening
NM 58%Mammogram
NM 70%Taking BP meds
NM 73%1 in 6
working-age adults has no health insurance
Thoreau 15.9% · New Mexico 1 in 6 (15.6%)
Mind & connection
How Thoreau adults are doing
1 in 3Thoreau adults feel lonely
39.9% · New Mexico 34.1% · worse
1 in 4Thoreau adults have been diagnosed with depression
25.7% · New Mexico 23.2% · too close to call
1 in 3Thoreau adults lack social or emotional support
34.4% · New Mexico 24.5% · worse
1 in 4Thoreau adults are in frequent mental distress
25.1% · New Mexico 16.1% · worse
Everyday needs
Making ends meet
Needs that shape health as much as any doctor visit: food, housing, utilities and a way to get around.
1 in 2
Thoreau adults worry about having enough food
46.3% · NM 20.9% · worse
1 in 3
Thoreau adults worry about keeping their housing
31.9% · NM 16.5% · worse
1 in 4
Thoreau adults were threatened with a utility shut-off
26.1% · NM 11.2% · worse
1 in 4
Thoreau adults lack reliable transportation
26.2% · NM 11% · worse
42.7% of Thoreau adults receive SNAP (food stamps), compared with 16.9% across New Mexico.
Disability
Living with a disability
45.6%
of Thoreau adults live with a disability (New Mexico 34%). Thinking or memory is the most common.
Walking or climbing stairs23.1%
Thinking or memory25.9%
Hearing11.7%
Errands alone18.4%
Vision13.8%
Dressing or bathing8.5%
Black tick: New Mexico. Shown without a better/worse judgment.
Getting care
Care in and near Thoreau
1 community health center in Thoreau, plus the nearest just outside it.
HNearest ERCrownpoint Healthcare FacilityCrownpoint · 27.2 miDirections →
+Low-cost carePresbyterian Medical ServicesThoreau · 1.6 mi · sliding-scale feesDirections →
1.6 mi
Presbyterian Medical Services
5 sites · nearest in Thoreau
Pms - Western Nm Med Grp - ThoreauThoreau · 1.6 mi
Pms - Grants Family Health CenterGrants · 27.6 mi
Pms - Grants Family CounselingGrants · 28.2 mi
Pms - Western Nm Medical Group - Gallup PsrGallup · 29.7 mi
Pms - Western Nm Med Grp-Bh - GallupGallup · 29.7 mi
30.1 mi
Gallup Community Health
3 sites · nearest in Gallup
Gch - GurleyGallup · 30.1 mi
Gallup Community Health CenterGallup · 30.2 mi
Gallup Community Health CenterGallup · 30.2 mi
30.2 mi
Rehoboth Mckinley Christian Health Care Services
Gallup · not rated
Nothing matches.
! Primary careThoreau's county is a federal shortage area.McKinley County · need score 19 of 25
! Dental careThoreau's county is a federal shortage area for some residents.Low-income residents, McKinley County · need score 21 of 25
! Mental healthThoreau's county is a federal shortage area.Catchment Area 1 · need score 20 of 25
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 Thoreau. Shortage areas: HRSA Health Professional Shortage Areas (a “population” designation covers specific residents, such as those with low incomes).
All 40 measures for Thoreau
| Measure | Thoreau | Margin | New Mexico | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chronic conditions | ||||
| High blood pressure | 37.2% | 33.6–41.1% | 34.3% | about the same |
| High cholesterol | 33.3% | 29.6–37.3% | 35.1% | about the same |
| Obesity | 41.4% | 35.4–47.7% | 34.1% | worse |
| Arthritis | 26% | 23.3–29% | 25.6% | about the same |
| Depression | 25.7% | 22.4–29.6% | 23.2% | about the same |
| Lost all teeth (65+) | 40.7% | 35.3–46.1% | 14.2% | worse |
| Asthma | 14.8% | 13.1–16.7% | 9.9% | worse |
| Cancer (not skin) | 5.4% | 4.9–6% | 7.4% | better |
| Diabetes | 18.3% | 16.3–20.6% | 13.2% | worse |
| COPD | 11.9% | 10.4–13.7% | 6.6% | worse |
| Heart disease | 9.3% | 8.4–10.4% | 7.2% | worse |
| Stroke | 5.9% | 5.4–6.5% | 3.8% | worse |
| Habits | ||||
| Smoke cigarettes | 29.6% | 25.8–33.9% | 13.4% | worse |
| Binge drink | 12.7% | 10.4–15.3% | 13.7% | about the same |
| Get no exercise | 33.2% | 28.6–38.6% | 25.6% | worse |
| Sleep under 7 hours | 42.2% | 36.4–48.1% | 32.7% | worse |
| Care & screenings | ||||
| Yearly checkup | 64.3% | 59.9–68.7% | 69% | worse |
| Dentist visit | 38.8% | 35.1–42.4% | 61.4% | worse |
| Cholesterol check | 73.8% | 70.5–77% | 83.4% | worse |
| Colon screening | 38.1% | 32.8–43.3% | 57.5% | worse |
| Mammogram | 57.6% | 48.6–66% | 70.3% | worse |
| Taking BP meds | 69.9% | 66.6–73.2% | 73.3% | worse |
| No health insurance | 15.9% | 12.9–19.4% | 15.6% | about the same |
| Mind & connection | ||||
| Feel lonely | 39.9% | 34.8–45.2% | 34.1% | worse |
| Lack emotional support | 34.4% | 30–39.3% | 24.5% | worse |
| Frequent mental distress | 25.1% | 22.4–28.2% | 16.1% | worse |
| Fair or poor health | 37.5% | 33.3–42.3% | 24% | worse |
| Frequent physical distress | 23% | 20.5–26% | 15.5% | worse |
| Everyday needs | ||||
| Food insecurity | 46.3% | 41.1–52% | 20.9% | worse |
| Housing insecurity | 31.9% | 28–36.2% | 16.5% | worse |
| Utility shut-off threat | 26.1% | 23.2–29.3% | 11.2% | worse |
| No reliable transportation | 26.2% | 23.2–29.6% | 11% | worse |
| Receive SNAP | 42.7% | 37.5–48.1% | 16.9% | |
| Disability | ||||
| Any disability | 45.6% | 40.9–51.1% | 34% | |
| Walking or climbing stairs | 23.1% | 20.5–26.3% | 15.5% | |
| Thinking or memory | 25.9% | 22.8–29.6% | 15.5% | |
| Hearing | 11.7% | 10.5–13.2% | 8.5% | |
| Vision | 13.8% | 12.3–15.6% | 7.2% | |
| Dressing or bathing | 8.5% | 7.5–9.6% | 4.7% | |
| Errands alone | 18.4% | 16.2–20.9% | 9.3% | |
About these numbers
How CDC estimates town health
They're modeled estimatesCDC combines a large national health survey with each area's age, sex, race and income mix to estimate local rates. Nobody surveyed Thoreau door to door.
Close calls stay grayEvery figure has a margin of error. When the New Mexico figure falls inside it, we don't call Thoreau better or worse.
CDC's own town estimateCDC publishes Thoreau directly, so these are its own figures.
CDC PLACES: Local Data for Better Health, 2025 release. The New Mexico figure combines its counties, weighted by adult population.
Health estimates: CDC PLACES. Hospitals and star ratings: Medicare Care Compare (CMS). Health centers and shortage areas: HRSA. Town boundaries: U.S. Census Bureau.