Gulf Shores, AL is a coastal city located in the Southern region of the state. It has a pleasant climate and offers residents many recreational activities year-round. The city also takes pride in its commitment to providing quality healthcare for its citizens. There are several local hospitals and medical facilities that offer a variety of services to meet the needs of both residents and visitors alike. At these locations you can find everything from general checkups, screenings, vaccinations, and even specialty care. These facilities also provide important preventative care such as nutrition counseling, smoking cessation programs, and diabetes management classes. The city also puts an emphasis on mental health services which includes access to therapists and psychiatrists, group therapy sessions, and support groups for those who may need it. Gulf Shores is committed to keeping its residents healthy; with its wide range of hospitals and medical facilities available it's no wonder why so many people choose to call this city 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 173 physicians per 100,000 population in Gulf Shores. The US average is 210 per 100,000 people.
Health Cost Index
The annual BestPlaces Health Cost Index for the Gulf Shores 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 Gulf Shores area is 67 (100=best). The US average is 55.
67 / 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 Gulf Shores 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 Gulf Shores commutes 24.9 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 Gulf Shores area is 76 (100=best). The US average is 58.
76 / 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.