Wales, Massachusetts is a small town located in Hampden County with a population of 1,853 as of the 2020 census. While relatively small in population size, Wales has several local hospitals and medical facilities to ensure that its residents have access to quality health care. The Hampden County Regional Medical Center is located just 10 miles away and offers a wide array of medical services including emergency care, primary care, laboratory testing, radiology services, specialized surgery and more. There is also an urgent care center and three family doctors within the town's limits. The community values health promotion through physical activity such as outdoor recreation like hiking trails and nearby parks which promote healthy lifestyles for all ages. Local organizations like the Wales Senior Citizen Center offer weekly activities to keep seniors active and engaged in the community. With plenty of accessible options for healthcare and wellness activities, Wales provides its citizens with an exceptional level of care when it comes to their health.
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 225 physicians per 100,000 population in Wales. The US average is 210 per 100,000 people.
Health Cost Index
The annual BestPlaces Health Cost Index for the Wales area is 83.6 (lower=better). The US average is 100.
83.6 / 100
Example: 110 = 10% more expensive than national average.
Water Qualtiy Index
The annual BestPlaces Water Quality Index for the Wales area is 68 (100=best). The US average is 55.
68 / 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 Wales area is 94 (100=best). The US average is 87.
94 / 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 Wales commutes 35.1 minutes one-way, which is longer than the US average of 26.4 minutes.
Air Quality Index
The annual BestPlaces Air Quality Index for the Wales area is 79 (100=best). The US average is 58.
79 / 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.