Durham, NC is a diverse and vibrant city that offers plenty of attractions and access to quality healthcare. The Durham County Department of Public Health works diligently to ensure the health and wellbeing of all residents, providing a wide range of health services to over 300,000 local citizens. Durham is home to numerous hospitals, such as Duke University Medical Center and Duke Regional Hospital, which provide high-quality medical care in both traditional and specialized areas. In addition, there are a number of clinics throughout the city that offer primary care services for everything from chronic conditions to minor injuries. Additionally, the county is home to many pharmacies where residents can fill prescriptions without having to leave their neighborhood. All these factors make it possible for those living in Durham to access quality healthcare services close to home.
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 433 physicians per 100,000 population in Durham. The US average is 210 per 100,000 people.
Health Cost Index
The annual BestPlaces Health Cost Index for the Durham area is 103.7 (lower=better). The US average is 100.
103.7 / 100
Example: 110 = 10% more expensive than national average.
Water Qualtiy Index
The annual BestPlaces Water Quality Index for the Durham 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 Durham area is 96 (100=best). The US average is 87.
96 / 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 Durham 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 Durham area is 51 (100=best). The US average is 58.
51 / 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.