Memphis, TN is home to a diverse population of people who have access to quality health care services. The city has numerous hospitals and medical facilities, ranging from large academic health centers to smaller community clinics that provide essential primary care services. These medical centers offer a range of services, including preventative care, diagnosis and treatment, as well as specialty care such as oncology and cardiology. The University of Tennessee Health Science Center is also located in the city and provides comprehensive specialized care for diseases and conditions. In addition to these larger institutions, there are also many smaller local clinics that provide basic health services for those who cannot afford or do not have access to more comprehensive care. With so many options available within Memphis, residents can find the necessary health care they need close by.
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 254 physicians per 100,000 population in Memphis. The US average is 210 per 100,000 people.
Health Cost Index
The annual BestPlaces Health Cost Index for the Memphis area is 130.1 (lower=better). The US average is 100.
130.1 / 100
Example: 110 = 10% more expensive than national average.
Water Qualtiy Index
The annual BestPlaces Water Quality Index for the Memphis area is 64 (100=best). The US average is 55.
64 / 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 Memphis area is 84 (100=best). The US average is 87.
84 / 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 Memphis commutes 21.7 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 Memphis area is 43 (100=best). The US average is 58.
43 / 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.