Kern County, California
Moderate riskGera County Health Risk Index: 52.5/100 · National rank 132 of 480 · Population: 913,820 · CDC PLACES June 2026
What is the chronic-disease health risk in Kern County, California?
As of June 2026, Kern County, California has a Gera County Health Risk Index of 52.5/100 (national rank 132/480; moderate risk). Adult chronic-disease prevalence: obesity 36.0%, diabetes 13.3%, coronary heart disease 6.2%, smoking 14.6%. Source: CDC PLACES June 2026.
Chronic-disease prevalence — Kern County (CDC PLACES June 2026)
| Measure | Prevalence | Weight in GCHRI |
|---|---|---|
| Obesity | 36.0% | 25% |
| Diagnosed diabetes | 13.3% | 25% |
| Coronary heart disease | 6.2% | 30% |
| Current cigarette smoking | 14.6% | 20% |
| GCHRI composite score | 52.5 / 100 | — |
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Kern County, California
Population: 913,820 · National rank: 132 / 480 (by chronic-disease risk)
Gera County Health Risk Index
52.5 / 100
Obesity
36.0%
adults
Diabetes
13.3%
adults
Heart Disease
6.2%
adults
Smoking
14.6%
adults
Source: CDC PLACES, June 2026 · Crude prevalence, adults · Full county page →
Other counties in California
Frequently asked questions
- What is the Gera County Health Risk Index for Kern County, CA?
- Kern County, CA has a Gera County Health Risk Index (GCHRI) of 52.5/100, ranking 132 out of 480 most-populous US counties (rank 1 = highest chronic-disease risk). This places it in the moderate-risk tier. Source: CDC PLACES (June 2026).
- What is the obesity rate in Kern County?
- The adult obesity prevalence in Kern County, CA is 36.0% (CDC PLACES, June 2026, crude prevalence). The national mean across the 480 included counties is 36.0%.
- What is the diabetes rate in Kern County?
- The diagnosed diabetes prevalence among adults in Kern County, CA is 13.3% (CDC PLACES, June 2026, crude prevalence).
- What is the coronary heart disease rate in Kern County?
- The coronary heart disease prevalence among adults in Kern County, CA is 6.2% (CDC PLACES, June 2026, crude prevalence).
- What is the smoking rate in Kern County?
- The current cigarette smoking prevalence among adults in Kern County, CA is 14.6% (CDC PLACES, June 2026, crude prevalence).
Concerned about health risks in Kern County?
A GeraClinic care navigator can help you understand what these CDC chronic-disease rates mean for you personally, assess your individual risk factors, and connect you with preventive-care resources — fully online.
Contains public sector information published by U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and licensed under the U.S. Public Domain (federal government work, 17 U.S.C. § 105). Source: CDC PLACES: Local Data for Better Health, County Data 2023 release (June 2026, published 2023 (released 2024)).
Informational/educational only — not a substitute for professional medical advice; a clinician interprets results.