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Merced County, California

Moderate risk

Gera County Health Risk Index: 48.8/100 · National rank 185 of 480 · Population: 291,920 · CDC PLACES June 2026

What is the chronic-disease health risk in Merced County, California?

As of June 2026, Merced County, California has a Gera County Health Risk Index of 48.8/100 (national rank 185/480; moderate risk). Adult chronic-disease prevalence: obesity 33.8%, diabetes 13.0%, coronary heart disease 6.1%, smoking 14.1%. Source: CDC PLACES June 2026.

Source:CDC PLACES: Local Data for Better Health, County Data 2023 release·as of June 2026updated annually (last: )
Gera County Health Risk Index48.8 / 100Rank 185 of 480 most-populous US counties. Computed from CDC PLACES June 2026 crude prevalence for 4 chronic-disease measures, weighted and normalised 0–100. Higher = higher risk.How this index is calculated

Chronic-disease prevalence — Merced County (CDC PLACES June 2026)

Merced County, California — CDC PLACES June 2026 crude prevalence (adults)
MeasurePrevalenceWeight in GCHRI
Obesity33.8%25%
Diagnosed diabetes13.0%25%
Coronary heart disease6.1%30%
Current cigarette smoking14.1%20%
GCHRI composite score48.8 / 100—

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Search any of the 480 most-populous US counties to compare GCHRI scores and CDC prevalence rates.

Merced County, California

Population: 291,920 · National rank: 185 / 480 (by chronic-disease risk)

Moderate risk

Gera County Health Risk Index

48.8 / 100

Obesity

33.8%

adults

Diabetes

13.0%

adults

Heart Disease

6.1%

adults

Smoking

14.1%

adults

Source: CDC PLACES, June 2026 · Crude prevalence, adults · Full county page →

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Frequently asked questions

What is the Gera County Health Risk Index for Merced County, CA?
Merced County, CA has a Gera County Health Risk Index (GCHRI) of 48.8/100, ranking 185 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 Merced County?
The adult obesity prevalence in Merced County, CA is 33.8% (CDC PLACES, June 2026, crude prevalence). The national mean across the 480 included counties is 33.8%.
What is the diabetes rate in Merced County?
The diagnosed diabetes prevalence among adults in Merced County, CA is 13.0% (CDC PLACES, June 2026, crude prevalence).
What is the coronary heart disease rate in Merced County?
The coronary heart disease prevalence among adults in Merced County, CA is 6.1% (CDC PLACES, June 2026, crude prevalence).
What is the smoking rate in Merced County?
The current cigarette smoking prevalence among adults in Merced County, CA is 14.1% (CDC PLACES, June 2026, crude prevalence).

Concerned about health risks in Merced 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.

Talk to a GeraClinic care navigatorHow the Gera County Health Risk Index is calculated

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.