Where Birch Creek residents get care
CDC publishes only some of its health estimates for Birch Creek, not the seven a Health Grade needs; here is what we do have.
Modeled estimates for adults 18+, from ZIP code 99730. How CDC estimates town health
What stands out about health in Birch Creek
Heart disease, COPD and stroke run high in Birch Creek
1 in 7 adults have heart disease (14.4%), more than twice the Alaska rate. 1 in 7 adults have COPD (15.3%), more than twice the Alaska rate. Stroke is also above the state: 7.3%, vs 3.1% across Alaska. In all, Birch Creek runs above Alaska on eight of 11 chronic conditions. Conditions ↓
The nearest ER is 111 miles from Birch Creek
The closest emergency room is Bassett Ach (Ft Wainwright) in Fort Wainwright, 111.1 miles away in a straight line. And 14.3% of adults lack reliable transportation, vs 9% across Alaska. For everyday care, Council of Athabascan Tribal Governments is closer (27 mi) and charges on a sliding scale. Getting care ↓
Dental care lags in Birch Creek
43.3% of adults saw a dentist this year, vs 59.7% across Alaska. Among those 65 and older, 22.7% have lost all their teeth (Alaska 13.5%). Birch Creek’s county is a federal shortage area for dental care. Checkups ↓
More high blood pressure in Birch Creek, and more people treating it
51.8% of adults have high blood pressure (Alaska 32.5%), but 78% of them take medicine for it, vs 68% statewide. Checkups ↓
Written from the CDC, Medicare and HRSA data on this page. CDC PLACES 2025 release: modeled estimates for adults, not counts; “higher” and “lower” mean the Alaska figure falls outside Birch Creek’s likely range; Birch Creek’s figures come from ZIP code 99730, which may reach past town lines.
Out of every 100 Birch Creek adults…
Birch Creek runs above AK on 9 of 12 conditions. Tap one to see it as people.
Care in and near Birch Creek
No hospital or community health center in Birch Creek itself. These are the nearest.
Hospitals: Medicare overall star ratings, 1–5. Community health centers charge on a sliding scale by income. Distances are straight-line from the center of Birch Creek; ≈ marks a hospital located by its town, not its street. Shortage areas: HRSA Health Professional Shortage Areas (a “population” designation covers specific residents, such as those with low incomes).
Keeping up with care
Share of Birch Creek adults getting routine care. The full ring is 100%; the dark tick marks Alaska.
Everyday habits, side by side with Alaska
Share of adults, with the Alaska figure marked.
Walk with neighbors
The easiest exercise habit to keep is one with company.
How Birch Creek adults are doing
About the same as Alaska on each measure.
1 in 3 Birch Creek adults feel lonely. A hello is a start.
Groups are the easiest way in: a walking group, a book club, your street.
If you or someone you know is struggling, call or text 988, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. It’s free, confidential and open 24/7.
Making ends meet
Needs that shape health as much as any doctor visit: food, housing, utilities and a way to get around.
22.3% of Birch Creek adults receive SNAP (food stamps), compared with 10.1% across Alaska.
Birch Creek and the towns around it
How health changes across the town line.
Health next door
| Town | Health | Obesity | Diabetes | Smoking | Figures from |
|---|
Same-state neighbors only, ordered by length of shared border.
Living with a disability
Shown without a better/worse judgment.
of Birch Creek adults live with a disability (Alaska 29.6%). Walking or climbing stairs is the most common.
Questions about health in Birch Creek
Why doesn’t Birch Creek have a Health Grade?
Every Health Grade is built from seven of CDC’s PLACES estimates, and CDC doesn’t publish all seven for Birch Creek.
Neighbors talk health
Doctors taking patients, urgent care, staying active in Birch Creek.
Health estimates: CDC PLACES: Local Data for Better Health, 2025 release. The Alaska figure combines its counties, weighted by adult population. Hospitals and star ratings: Medicare Care Compare (CMS). Health centers and shortage areas: HRSA. Ages: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey. Town boundaries: U.S. Census Bureau. This page isn’t medical advice. In an emergency, call 911.