Merrydale, LA is a small town located on the outskirts of Baton Rouge. As with many small towns, health can be an area of concern. Despite its size, Merrydale has access to some basic health services and medical facilities, such as local hospitals and community health centers. Though there are no large-scale medical facilities in the town proper, residents have access to nearby Baton Rouge's larger health providers. Though there are no population numbers available, Merrydale is believed to have a relatively low rate of serious illness or injury due to its rural location and strong sense of community. Residents take advantage of the area's numerous outdoor activities as part of their overall wellness plan. The town also has a few parks that offer recreational opportunities for children and adults alike. All in all, Merrydale does offer some basic healthcare services and a healthy lifestyle for its residents--it just takes some extra effort to find it!
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 287 physicians per 100,000 population in Merrydale. The US average is 210 per 100,000 people.
Health Cost Index
The annual BestPlaces Health Cost Index for the Merrydale area is 100.8 (lower=better). The US average is 100.
100.8 / 100
Example: 110 = 10% more expensive than national average.
Water Qualtiy Index
The annual BestPlaces Water Quality Index for the Merrydale area is 13 (100=best). The US average is 55.
13 / 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 Merrydale area is 92 (100=best). The US average is 87.
92 / 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 Merrydale 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 Merrydale area is 41 (100=best). The US average is 58.
41 / 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.