The health care system in the Charleston, WV Metro Area is robust and well-equipped. There is a variety of local hospitals, medical centers, and other health care facilities to provide top-notch care for area residents. Many of these facilities have modern technology, highly trained staff, and convenient locations throughout the metro area. Patients can easily access quality healthcare services thanks to the many options available. In addition to these facilities, there are also a number of community health centers that offer free or low cost healthcare services to those in need. No matter what kind of health care service a person needs, they can find it in the wide range of options available in this metro area.
The health of a city has many different factors. It can refer to air quality, water quality, risk of getting respiratory disease or cancer. The people you live around can also affect your health as some places have lower or higher rates of physical activity, increased alcohol intake, smoking, obesity, and cancer rates.
Physicians per Capita
There are 335 physicians per 100,000 population in Charleston Metro Area. The US average is 210 per 100,000 people.
Health Cost Index
The annual BestPlaces Health Cost Index for the Charleston Metro Area area is 103.3 (lower=better). The US average is 100.
103.3 / 100
Example: 110 = 10% more expensive than national average.
Water Qualtiy Index
The annual BestPlaces Water Quality Index for the Charleston Metro Area area is 54 (100=best). The US average is 55.
54 / 100
Note that this is a measure of Watershed quality, not the water that comes from your faucet. The EPA has stated that a healthy watershed is closely related to drinking water quality. The EPA has a complex method of measuring watershed quality using 15 indicators such as pH, chemicals, metals, and bacteria.
Superfund Index
The annual BestPlaces Superfund Index for the Charleston Metro Area area is 71 (100=best). The US average is 87.
71 / 100
The EPA's Superfund program is responsible for cleaning up some of our nation's most contaminated land. Our index is based on the number of active Superfund sites (over 15,000 in the United States), with particular attention paid to those on the National Priorities List which pose the greatest health danger.
Quick Facts
Commuting can effect your health. The average person in Charleston Metro Area commutes 22.5 minutes one-way, which is shorter than the US average of 26.4 minutes.
Air Quality Index
The annual BestPlaces Air Quality Index for the Charleston Metro Area area is 56 (100=best). The US average is 58.
56 / 100
This is based on new measures of hazardous air pollutants from the EPA, called the National Air Toxics Assessment. This analysis models respiratory illness and cancer risk down to the zip code level, providing better detail and insight than the previous analysis based solely on results from air monitoring stations.