Washta, IA is a small town located in the northwest corner of the state. The population of Washta is estimated to be around 500 people and there is a strong sense of community throughout the entire area. In terms of health care, many local residents are able to access quality care at nearby hospitals and medical facilities. There are two major hospitals within 25 miles – Holy Family Memorial Hospital and Lakes Regional Healthcare – both offering excellent medical services. Additionally, there are numerous clinics providing primary care for individuals as well as specialized care for specific conditions in Washta itself. Many of these facilities provide an array of treatments from preventative care to emergency services for those who need it. With all this available, Washta can easily boast that their residents have access to some of the best health care in Iowa.
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 104 physicians per 100,000 population in Washta. The US average is 210 per 100,000 people.
Health Cost Index
The annual BestPlaces Health Cost Index for the Washta area is 118.5 (lower=better). The US average is 100.
118.5 / 100
Example: 110 = 10% more expensive than national average.
Water Qualtiy Index
The annual BestPlaces Water Quality Index for the Washta area is 40 (100=best). The US average is 55.
40 / 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 Washta area is 98 (100=best). The US average is 87.
98 / 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 Washta commutes 16.1 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 Washta area is 89 (100=best). The US average is 58.
89 / 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.