7 Cities Where You Don’t Want to Get Sick

In this article, we will be taking a look at the 7 cities where you don’t want to get sick. If you wish to learn about more, head straight to the 30 Cities Where You Don’t Want to Get Sick.

7. Wheeling, WV-OH 

30-day readmission rate: 16.2%  

30-day mortality rate: 13.8%  

Preventable hospitalizations: 83.1 per 1,000 patients  

No. of physicians: 77.0 per 100,000 

Median household income: $44,131  

Low vaccination rates pose health concerns in Wheeling, WV-OH, with a population of around 140,000. Recommendations include increasing immunization coverage for influenza, COVID-19, and RSV. Financially, the median household income is $53,169, with a median property value of $121,200, reflecting the economic landscape.  

6. Clarksville, TN-KY 

30-day readmission rate: 16.0%  

30-day mortality rate: 14.6%  

Preventable hospitalizations: 62.3 per 1,000 patients  

No. of physicians: 41.3 per 100,000  

Median household income: $51,373 

Clarksville, TN-KY, stands sixth among the cities where you don’t want to get sick, with 91.8% health coverage in Montgomery County. The city has a population of 189,098, a median household income of $75,723, and a poverty rate of 12.88%. Health technologists in Clarksville earn an average wage of $43,880 annually, with diverse employment sectors contributing to the city’s economy. Additionally, the poverty rate among full-time workers is 3.27%, contrasting with 17.06% among part-time workers.

5. Kingston, NY 

30-day readmission rate: 17.6%  

30-day mortality rate: 13.3% 

Preventable hospitalizations: 58.1 per 1,000 patients  

No. of physicians: 69.4 per 100,000 

Median household income: $62,790  

Kingston, NY, one of the cities where you don’t want to get sick, faces challenges with prevalent chronic diseases and varying healthcare access. Financially, Kingston’s median income is $62,071, with an 18.4% poverty rate and about 9.0% uninsured individuals under 65, reflecting economic disparities and healthcare access challenges.

4. Hattiesburg, MS 

30-day readmission rate: 17.9% 

30-day mortality rate: 13.2% 

Preventable hospitalizations: 63.3 per 1,000 patients  

No. of physicians: 86.7 per 100,000  

Median household income: $46,765  

Hattiesburg, MS, stands fourth among the top cities where you don’t want to get sick, with a notable disability rate of 14.6% and a high poverty rate of 32.0%. Common sickness causes include heart disease, cancer, and diabetes. Financially, the city has a median household income of $41,024 and a mixed economic situation with income disparities. 

3. Jonesboro, AR 

30-day readmission rate: 17.2% 

30-day mortality rate: 13.7% 

Preventable hospitalizations: 68.2 per 1,000 patients 

No. of physicians: 91.1 per 100,000  

Median household income: $41,717  

Jonesboro, AR, faces significant health challenges with prevalent sickness causes like chronic lower respiratory diseases, cancer, and heart disease. Financially, the city’s median household income is $51,124, with a 22.4% poverty rate, indicating economic hurdles in dealing with illnesses. 

2. Rocky Mount, NC 

30-day readmission rate: 17.3%  

30-day mortality rate: 14.6% 

Preventable hospitalizations: 59.2 per 1,000 patients  

No. of physicians: 50.0 per 100,000  

Median household income: $38,972  

Rocky Mount, NC, stands second among the cities where you don’t want to get sick, including disabilities and lack of health insurance among residents. Top health priorities include Metabolic Syndrome, Poverty, and Behavioral Health. Financially, the city has a median household income of $50,092 and a 19.6% poverty rate. 

1. Pine Bluff, AR 

30-day readmission rate: 16.9%  

30-day mortality rate: 15.2%  

Preventable hospitalizations: 60.4 per 1,000 patients  

No. of physicians: 61.9 per 100,000 

Median household income: $37,076  

Pine Bluff, AR, faces health challenges with a population of approximately 88.9k and a median household income of $44,756. The Jefferson County Health Unit and Jefferson Regional Medical Center provide essential health services. The city’s economic struggles are reflected in labor force statistics and a poverty rate of 21.8%.  

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