In at least one embodiment, a controller of a non-volatile memory having a plurality of blocks of physical memory estimates a current value of a block health metric of the particular block based on a previous value of the block health metric and a reference block wear curve. The controller assigns the particular block a health grade based on the estimated current value of the block health metric and performs data placement in the block in accordance with the assigned health grade. The controller may calibrate a set of read threshold voltages of the particular block prior to estimating the current value of the block health metric.