Panama, IA is a small city in the Midwest with a population of approximately 500 people. While it may not have many local medical facilities, the residents can rely on nearby hospitals and other medical resources for their health needs. The city has multiple state-of-the-art medical centers within driving distance, providing quality care to its citizens and visitors alike. Additionally, physical and mental health services are readily available through private practices located in the area. Residents have access to doctors, nurses, psychologists, therapists and other professionals that provide an array of healthcare services. Furthermore, there are plenty of recreational activities to stay healthy including golf courses, bike paths and walking trails. With these amenities combined with excellent nearby medical facilities and private practitioners, Panama is well equipped to provide its citizens with adequate health care.
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 84 physicians per 100,000 population in Panama. The US average is 210 per 100,000 people.
Health Cost Index
The annual BestPlaces Health Cost Index for the Panama area is 129.5 (lower=better). The US average is 100.
129.5 / 100
Example: 110 = 10% more expensive than national average.
Water Qualtiy Index
The annual BestPlaces Water Quality Index for the Panama area is 80 (100=best). The US average is 55.
80 / 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 Panama area is 95 (100=best). The US average is 87.
95 / 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 Panama commutes 18.8 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 Panama area is 87 (100=best). The US average is 58.
87 / 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.