Decatur, AL is a growing city in northern Alabama, with a population of 55,683 people. It is known for its local attractions and vibrant culture. Health care is important for any community and Decatur is no exception. The city boasts several hospitals and medical facilities that are well equipped to provide quality healthcare services to the residents of Decatur. These facilities include Decatur Morgan Hospital, Athens Limestone Hospital, Decatur General Hospital, Parkway Medical Center and many more. Additionally, the city has several clinics specializing in preventative medicine and community-based healthcare initiatives such as immunizations and screenings. These medical centers offer comprehensive care for individuals from all backgrounds and are committed to delivering quality health care services to their patients. With an abundance of hospitals and medical centers in the area, Decatur is sure to provide adequate health care services for its citizens.
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 151 physicians per 100,000 population in Decatur. The US average is 210 per 100,000 people.
Health Cost Index
The annual BestPlaces Health Cost Index for the Decatur area is 103.6 (lower=better). The US average is 100.
103.6 / 100
Example: 110 = 10% more expensive than national average.
Water Qualtiy Index
The annual BestPlaces Water Quality Index for the Decatur area is 30 (100=best). The US average is 55.
30 / 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 Decatur area is 93 (100=best). The US average is 87.
93 / 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 Decatur commutes 20.9 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 Decatur area is 44 (100=best). The US average is 58.
44 / 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.