Practitioner Directory: Boston, MA

Suffolk County, Massachusetts

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Community health · CDC PLACES

Boston Health profile at a glance

Boston sits near the middle of large Massachusetts cities on 0 of its 6 lead measures, toward the low end on high blood pressure and obesity. Dots show 10 other Massachusetts cities and 10 major U.S. cities.

Heart & circulation29.5%High blood pressureof adults in Boston · about 1 in 3Toward the low end of large Massachusetts cities
● this city ● Massachusetts cities 26.2%–35.1% ● major U.S. cities 26.5%–34.1%
Details
Weight & metabolism25.1%Obesityof adults in Boston · about 1 in 4Toward the low end of large Massachusetts cities
● this city ● Massachusetts cities 22.8%–40.2% ● major U.S. cities 23.5%–38.2%
Details
Mood & emotional wellbeing16.9%Frequent mental distressof adults in Boston · about 1 in 6Toward the low end of large Massachusetts cities
● this city ● Massachusetts cities 14.5%–22.7% ● major U.S. cities 15%–17.3%
Details
Sleep34.1%Short sleep (under 7 hours)of adults in Boston · about 1 in 3Toward the low end of large Massachusetts cities
● this city ● Massachusetts cities 32%–42.6% ● major U.S. cities 32.6%–42%
Details
Movement, joints & pain12.1%Frequent physical distressof adults in Boston · about 1 in 8Toward the low end of large Massachusetts cities
● this city ● Massachusetts cities 9.1%–18.2% ● major U.S. cities 10.9%–15%
Details
Activity & fitness24.8%No physical activityof adults in Boston · about 1 in 4Toward the low end of large Massachusetts cities
● this city ● Massachusetts cities 17%–39.2% ● major U.S. cities 20%–33.2%
Details

How to read these tiles

Each tile shows the lead CDC estimate for one wellness goal. The pill compares it with Suffolk County. The bar counts how many of the 10 largest other cities in the state it differs from clearly (95% intervals that do not overlap). These are comparisons, not rankings: CDC advises against ranking areas from modeled estimates, and colours carry no judgement of good or bad.

Compared with: Worcester, Springfield, Cambridge, Lowell, Brockton, Quincy, Lynn, New Bedford, Fall River, Lawrence. Full health profile.

Health profile: Boston

Estimates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that describe the adults who live in this city or town, grouped by wellness goal. They give community context for the wellness services listed here. They are not a diagnosis, and they are not a measure of any provider.

18.4% Fair or poor health
of adults in Boston · about 1 in 5
95% interval 16.7% to 20.2%. Not clearly different from Suffolk County.
34.1% Short sleep (under 7 hours)
of adults in Boston · about 1 in 3
95% interval 30.8% to 37.8%. Not clearly different from Suffolk County.
16.9% Frequent mental distress
of adults in Boston · about 1 in 6
95% interval 15.4% to 18.6%. Not clearly different from Suffolk County.

Boston 95% interval county state

Heart & circulation

Wellness guides

Blood pressure, cholesterol, heart disease and stroke.

29.5% High blood pressure
of adults in Boston: likely between 27.1% and 32.1%; age-adjusted, 2023
32.6% High cholesterol
of adults in Boston: likely between 29.8% and 35.6%; age-adjusted, 2023
5.2% Heart disease
of adults in Boston: likely between 4.7% and 5.7%; age-adjusted, 2023
88.5% Cholesterol checked
of adults in Boston: likely between 87.2% and 89.7%; age-adjusted, 2023

Definitions and comparisons for this group

Adults with high blood pressure
29.5% of adults in Boston have been told they have high blood pressure.
Age-adjusted estimate, data year 2023; adults. CDC PLACES measure: "High blood pressure among adults". Self-reported in the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) survey and modeled to local areas. See the CDC PLACES measure definitions for the exact survey question.
Suffolk County: 29.4% (26.7% to 31.9%) CDC PLACES, same method. The intervals overlap, so the two are not clearly different.
The largest other places (10 compared): Boston is clearly higher than 0 of 10, not clearly different from 10, and clearly lower than 0. Counts of clear differences only; this is not a ranking.
Adults with high cholesterol (among those ever screened)
32.6% of adults in Boston who have ever had their cholesterol checked have been told it is high.
Age-adjusted estimate, data year 2023; adults who have ever been screened. CDC PLACES measure: "High cholesterol among adults who have ever been screened". Self-reported in the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) survey and modeled to local areas. See the CDC PLACES measure definitions for the exact survey question.
Suffolk County: 32.7% (29.8% to 35.7%) CDC PLACES, same method. The intervals overlap, so the two are not clearly different.
The largest other places (10 compared): Boston is clearly higher than 0 of 10, not clearly different from 10, and clearly lower than 0. Counts of clear differences only; this is not a ranking.
Adults with coronary heart disease
5.2% of adults in Boston have been told they have coronary heart disease or angina.
Age-adjusted estimate, data year 2023; adults. CDC PLACES measure: "Coronary heart disease among adults". Self-reported in the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) survey and modeled to local areas. See the CDC PLACES measure definitions for the exact survey question.
Suffolk County: 5.2% (4.6% to 5.8%) CDC PLACES, same method. The intervals overlap, so the two are not clearly different.
The largest other places (10 compared): Boston is clearly higher than 1 of 10, not clearly different from 5, and clearly lower than 4. Counts of clear differences only; this is not a ranking.
Adults who have had cholesterol screening
88.5% of adults in Boston have had their cholesterol checked in the past 5 years.
Age-adjusted estimate, data year 2023; adults. CDC PLACES measure: "Cholesterol screening among adults". Self-reported in the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) survey and modeled to local areas. See the CDC PLACES measure definitions for the exact survey question.
Suffolk County: 88.4% (86.6% to 90.2%) CDC PLACES, same method. The intervals overlap, so the two are not clearly different.
The largest other places (10 compared): Boston is clearly higher than 4 of 10, not clearly different from 6, and clearly lower than 0. Counts of clear differences only; this is not a ranking.

Weight & metabolism

Wellness guides

Diabetes, obesity and food access.

25.1% Obesity
of adults in Boston: likely between 21.8% and 28.9%; age-adjusted, 2023
10.3% Diabetes
of adults in Boston: likely between 9.2% and 11.6%; age-adjusted, 2023

Definitions and comparisons for this group

Adults with obesity
25.1% of adults in Boston have obesity (a body mass index of 30 or more, from the height and weight they report).
Age-adjusted estimate, data year 2023; adults. CDC PLACES measure: "Obesity among adults". Self-reported in the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) survey and modeled to local areas. See the CDC PLACES measure definitions for the exact survey question.
Suffolk County: 25.2% (21.6% to 28.9%) CDC PLACES, same method. The intervals overlap, so the two are not clearly different.
The largest other places (10 compared): Boston is clearly higher than 0 of 10, not clearly different from 3, and clearly lower than 7. Counts of clear differences only; this is not a ranking.
Adults with diagnosed diabetes
10.3% of adults in Boston have been told by a health professional that they have diabetes (not counting diabetes only during pregnancy).
Age-adjusted estimate, data year 2023; adults. CDC PLACES measure: "Diagnosed diabetes among adults". Self-reported in the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) survey and modeled to local areas. See the CDC PLACES measure definitions for the exact survey question.
Suffolk County: 10.1% (8.8% to 11.4%) CDC PLACES, same method. The intervals overlap, so the two are not clearly different.
The largest other places (10 compared): Boston is clearly higher than 1 of 10, not clearly different from 7, and clearly lower than 2. Counts of clear differences only; this is not a ranking.

Mood & emotional wellbeing

Wellness guides

Depression, frequent mental distress, loneliness and support.

16.9% Frequent mental distress
of adults in Boston: likely between 15.4% and 18.6%; age-adjusted, 2023
22.8% Depression
of adults in Boston: likely between 20.4% and 25.4%; age-adjusted, 2023
37.2% Loneliness
of adults in Boston: likely between 33.6% and 40.8%; age-adjusted, 2023

Definitions and comparisons for this group

Adults with frequent mental distress (14+ bad mental health days a month)
16.9% of adults in Boston say their mental health was not good on 14 or more of the past 30 days (frequent mental distress).
Age-adjusted estimate, data year 2023; adults. CDC PLACES measure: "Frequent mental distress among adults". Self-reported in the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) survey and modeled to local areas. See the CDC PLACES measure definitions for the exact survey question.
Suffolk County: 16.7% (14.7% to 18.6%) CDC PLACES, same method. The intervals overlap, so the two are not clearly different.
The largest other places (10 compared): Boston is clearly higher than 0 of 10, not clearly different from 6, and clearly lower than 4. Counts of clear differences only; this is not a ranking.
Adults ever told they have depression
22.8% of adults in Boston have been told by a health professional that they have a depressive disorder.
Age-adjusted estimate, data year 2023; adults. CDC PLACES measure: "Depression among adults". Self-reported in the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) survey and modeled to local areas. See the CDC PLACES measure definitions for the exact survey question.
Suffolk County: 22.5% (19.9% to 24.9%) CDC PLACES, same method. The intervals overlap, so the two are not clearly different.
The largest other places (10 compared): Boston is clearly higher than 0 of 10, not clearly different from 10, and clearly lower than 0. Counts of clear differences only; this is not a ranking.
Adults who report loneliness
37.2% of adults in Boston always, usually or sometimes feel lonely.
Age-adjusted estimate, data year 2023; adults. CDC PLACES measure: "Loneliness among adults". Self-reported in the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) survey and modeled to local areas. See the CDC PLACES measure definitions for the exact survey question.
Suffolk County: 37.2% (33.4% to 41%) CDC PLACES, same method. The intervals overlap, so the two are not clearly different.
The largest other places (10 compared): Boston is clearly higher than 0 of 10, not clearly different from 10, and clearly lower than 0. Counts of clear differences only; this is not a ranking.

Sleep

Wellness guides

Short sleep.

34.1% Short sleep (under 7 hours)
of adults in Boston: likely between 30.8% and 37.8%; age-adjusted, 2022

Definitions and comparisons for this group

Adults sleeping fewer than 7 hours a night
34.1% of adults in Boston sleep less than 7 hours a night.
Age-adjusted estimate, data year 2022; adults. CDC PLACES measure: "Short sleep duration among adults". Self-reported in the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) survey and modeled to local areas. See the CDC PLACES measure definitions for the exact survey question.
Suffolk County: 34.7% (31.2% to 38.5%) CDC PLACES, same method. The intervals overlap, so the two are not clearly different.
The largest other places (10 compared): Boston is clearly higher than 0 of 10, not clearly different from 9, and clearly lower than 1. Counts of clear differences only; this is not a ranking.

Show 10 more measures

Movement, joints & pain

Wellness guides

Arthritis, mobility and physical distress.

12.1% Frequent physical distress
of adults in Boston: likely between 10.9% and 13.4%; age-adjusted, 2023
21% Arthritis
of adults in Boston: likely between 19% and 23.1%; age-adjusted, 2023
12.2% Trouble walking or stairs
of adults in Boston: likely between 10.9% and 13.5%; age-adjusted, 2023

Definitions and comparisons for this group

Adults with frequent physical distress (14+ bad physical health days a month)
12.1% of adults in Boston say their physical health was not good on 14 or more of the past 30 days (frequent physical distress).
Age-adjusted estimate, data year 2023; adults. CDC PLACES measure: "Frequent physical distress among adults". Self-reported in the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) survey and modeled to local areas. See the CDC PLACES measure definitions for the exact survey question.
Suffolk County: 11.9% (10.4% to 13.5%) CDC PLACES, same method. The intervals overlap, so the two are not clearly different.
The largest other places (10 compared): Boston is clearly higher than 1 of 10, not clearly different from 2, and clearly lower than 7. Counts of clear differences only; this is not a ranking.
Adults with arthritis
21% of adults in Boston have been told by a health professional that they have arthritis.
Age-adjusted estimate, data year 2023; adults. CDC PLACES measure: "Arthritis among adults". Self-reported in the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) survey and modeled to local areas. See the CDC PLACES measure definitions for the exact survey question.
Suffolk County: 20.7% (18.7% to 22.7%) CDC PLACES, same method. The intervals overlap, so the two are not clearly different.
The largest other places (10 compared): Boston is clearly higher than 0 of 10, not clearly different from 7, and clearly lower than 3. Counts of clear differences only; this is not a ranking.
Adults with a mobility disability
12.2% of adults in Boston have serious difficulty walking or climbing stairs.
Age-adjusted estimate, data year 2023; adults. CDC PLACES measure: "Mobility disability among adults". Self-reported in the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) survey and modeled to local areas. See the CDC PLACES measure definitions for the exact survey question.
Suffolk County: 11.6% (9.9% to 13.3%) CDC PLACES, same method. The intervals overlap, so the two are not clearly different.
The largest other places (10 compared): Boston is clearly higher than 1 of 10, not clearly different from 4, and clearly lower than 5. Counts of clear differences only; this is not a ranking.

Activity & fitness

Wellness guides

Physical activity.

24.8% No physical activity
of adults in Boston: likely between 22.3% and 27.6%; age-adjusted, 2023

Definitions and comparisons for this group

Adults with no leisure-time physical activity
24.8% of adults in Boston did no physical activity or exercise outside of work in the past month.
Age-adjusted estimate, data year 2023; adults. CDC PLACES measure: "No leisure-time physical activity among adults". Self-reported in the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) survey and modeled to local areas. See the CDC PLACES measure definitions for the exact survey question.
Suffolk County: 24.7% (21.1% to 28.2%) CDC PLACES, same method. The intervals overlap, so the two are not clearly different.
The largest other places (10 compared): Boston is clearly higher than 1 of 10, not clearly different from 5, and clearly lower than 4. Counts of clear differences only; this is not a ranking.

Aging, ability & independence

Wellness guides

Disability, hearing, vision, thinking, self-care and oral health.

26.4% Any disability
of adults in Boston: likely between 24% and 29.1%; age-adjusted, 2023

Definitions and comparisons for this group

Adults with any disability
26.4% of adults in Boston have at least one disability (hearing, vision, thinking, walking, self-care or living independently).
Age-adjusted estimate, data year 2023; adults. CDC PLACES measure: "Any disability among adults". Self-reported in the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) survey and modeled to local areas. See the CDC PLACES measure definitions for the exact survey question.
Suffolk County: 26.1% (22.8% to 29.5%) CDC PLACES, same method. The intervals overlap, so the two are not clearly different.
The largest other places (10 compared): Boston is clearly higher than 0 of 10, not clearly different from 3, and clearly lower than 7. Counts of clear differences only; this is not a ranking.

Women's health screening

Wellness guides

Screening for women.

83.4% Mammogram
of women aged 50 to 74 in Boston: likely between 79% and 87.3%; age-adjusted, 2022

Definitions and comparisons for this group

Women 50-74 who had a mammogram
83.4% of women aged 50 to 74 in Boston had a mammogram in the past two years.
Age-adjusted estimate, data year 2022; women aged 50-74 years. CDC PLACES measure: "Mammography use among women aged 50-74 years". Self-reported in the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) survey and modeled to local areas. See the CDC PLACES measure definitions for the exact survey question.
Suffolk County: 85% (80.8% to 88.6%) CDC PLACES, same method. The intervals overlap, so the two are not clearly different.
The largest other places (10 compared): Boston is clearly higher than 0 of 10, not clearly different from 10, and clearly lower than 0. Counts of clear differences only; this is not a ranking.

Prevention & check-ups

Wellness guides

Routine check-ups and screening.

79.9% Yearly check-up
of adults in Boston: likely between 77.5% and 82.2%; age-adjusted, 2023
60.8% Colon cancer screening
of adults aged 45 to 75 in Boston: likely between 57.3% and 64.4%; age-adjusted, 2022

Definitions and comparisons for this group

Adults with a routine checkup in the past year
79.9% of adults in Boston had a routine check-up with a doctor in the past year.
Age-adjusted estimate, data year 2023; adults. CDC PLACES measure: "Visits to doctor for routine checkup within the past year among adults". Self-reported in the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) survey and modeled to local areas. See the CDC PLACES measure definitions for the exact survey question.
Suffolk County: 79.6% (77% to 82.2%) CDC PLACES, same method. The intervals overlap, so the two are not clearly different.
The largest other places (10 compared): Boston is clearly higher than 0 of 10, not clearly different from 10, and clearly lower than 0. Counts of clear differences only; this is not a ranking.
Adults 45-75 up to date on colorectal cancer screening
60.8% of adults aged 45 to 75 in Boston are up to date on screening for colorectal cancer.
Age-adjusted estimate, data year 2022; adults aged 45–75 years. CDC PLACES measure: "Colorectal cancer screening among adults aged 45–75 years". Self-reported in the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) survey and modeled to local areas. See the CDC PLACES measure definitions for the exact survey question.
Suffolk County: 60% (56.2% to 63.9%) CDC PLACES, same method. The intervals overlap, so the two are not clearly different.
The largest other places (10 compared): Boston is clearly higher than 0 of 10, not clearly different from 10, and clearly lower than 0. Counts of clear differences only; this is not a ranking.

Everyday habits

Wellness guides

Smoking and binge drinking.

11.8% Smoking
of adults in Boston: likely between 10.5% and 13.3%; age-adjusted, 2023

Definitions and comparisons for this group

Adults who currently smoke
11.8% of adults in Boston currently smoke cigarettes (they have smoked at least 100 in their life and now smoke every day or some days).
Age-adjusted estimate, data year 2023; adults. CDC PLACES measure: "Current cigarette smoking among adults". Self-reported in the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) survey and modeled to local areas. See the CDC PLACES measure definitions for the exact survey question.
Suffolk County: 11.6% (9.4% to 14.2%) CDC PLACES, same method. The intervals overlap, so the two are not clearly different.
The largest other places (10 compared): Boston is clearly higher than 1 of 10, not clearly different from 4, and clearly lower than 5. Counts of clear differences only; this is not a ranking.

Overall health

Wellness guides

Self-rated health and cancer.

18.4% Fair or poor health
of adults in Boston: likely between 16.7% and 20.2%; age-adjusted, 2023

Definitions and comparisons for this group

Adults who rate their health as fair or poor
18.4% of adults in Boston rate their own health as fair or poor.
Age-adjusted estimate, data year 2023; adults. CDC PLACES measure: "Fair or poor self-rated health status among adults". Self-reported in the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) survey and modeled to local areas. See the CDC PLACES measure definitions for the exact survey question.
Suffolk County: 17.9% (15.3% to 20.5%) CDC PLACES, same method. The intervals overlap, so the two are not clearly different.
The largest other places (10 compared): Boston is clearly higher than 1 of 10, not clearly different from 2, and clearly lower than 7. Counts of clear differences only; this is not a ranking.

Access to care: primary care (county-level)

County-level information for Suffolk County, not specific to Boston.

HRSA currently lists 18 primary care professional shortage-area designations that include part or all of Suffolk County (2 population groups, 16 facilities). The highest HRSA priority score among them is 19 (a higher score means a higher federal priority).

A designation is a federal policy finding about a shortage under a formula. It is not a count of providers, it can cover only part of a county, one population group or one facility, and it says nothing about any provider listed on this page. Most recent HRSA update among these: 2026-07-06.

Access to care: mental health (county-level)

County-level information for Suffolk County, not specific to Boston.

HRSA currently lists 17 mental health professional shortage-area designations that include part or all of Suffolk County (1 population group, 16 facilities). The highest HRSA priority score among them is 23 (a higher score means a higher federal priority).

Learn more on AlternativeMed: Improve Your Sleep Quality · How to Relieve Stress · Healthy Weight Basics · Lose Weight Sustainably · Improve Your Metabolic Health

Sources, method and dates

CDC PLACES: Local Data for Better Health, CDC, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. CDC PLACES 2025 release, county data; data years 2022 and 2023 (varies by measure); retrieved 2026-11-01.
CDC PLACES: Local Data for Better Health, CDC, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. CDC PLACES 2025 release, place data; data years 2022 and 2023 (varies by measure); retrieved 2026-11-01.
HRSA Health Professional Shortage Areas, HRSA. HRSA Mental health HPSA designations, downloaded 2026-11-01; data years current designations; retrieved 2026-11-01.
HRSA Health Professional Shortage Areas, HRSA. HRSA Primary care HPSA designations, downloaded 2026-11-01; data years current designations; retrieved 2026-11-01.

These are modeled estimates, not counts of people. CDC PLACES builds them from a national telephone survey (BRFSS) and Census data, so every number carries a margin of uncertainty.
Age-adjusted estimates remove the effect of age, which makes comparing areas fairer.
Other-city comparisons use the largest other places in the same state (by Census population in the CDC file) and count how many differ clearly from this place. They are not a ranking and not an average.
We call one estimate higher or lower than another only when their intervals do not overlap. We do not rank areas, combine measures into a score, or describe changes between data releases as trends. Colours carry no judgement of good or bad.
These statistics describe communities. They do not show that any wellness service works for a condition, and a health condition in an area is not caused by the providers or the places named here.

Reviewed by AlternativeMed staff: 2026-11-01.

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Boston Health profile at a glance

Health profile: Boston

Heart & circulation

Adults with high blood pressure

Adults with high cholesterol (among those ever screened)

Adults with coronary heart disease

Adults who have had cholesterol screening

Weight & metabolism

Adults with obesity

Adults with diagnosed diabetes

Mood & emotional wellbeing

Adults with frequent mental distress (14+ bad mental health days a month)

Adults ever told they have depression

Adults who report loneliness

Sleep

Adults sleeping fewer than 7 hours a night

Movement, joints & pain

Adults with frequent physical distress (14+ bad physical health days a month)

Adults with arthritis

Adults with a mobility disability

Activity & fitness

Adults with no leisure-time physical activity

Aging, ability & independence

Adults with any disability

Women's health screening

Women 50-74 who had a mammogram

Prevention & check-ups

Adults with a routine checkup in the past year

Adults 45-75 up to date on colorectal cancer screening

Everyday habits

Adults who currently smoke

Overall health

Adults who rate their health as fair or poor

Access to care: primary care (county-level)

Access to care: mental health (county-level)

How Boston differs from other cities in Massachusetts and major U.S. cities

More in Massachusetts