Where Harding-Birch Lakes residents get care
CDC publishes only some of its health estimates for Harding-Birch Lakes, not the seven a Health Grade needs; here is what we do have.
Modeled estimates for adults 18+, CDC’s own estimate for Harding-Birch Lakes. How CDC estimates town health
What stands out about health in Harding-Birch Lakes
The nearest ER is 45 miles from Harding-Birch Lakes
The closest emergency room is Bassett Ach (Ft Wainwright) in Fort Wainwright, 44.9 miles away in a straight line. For everyday care, Cross Road Health Ministries is closer (33.8 mi) and charges on a sliding scale. Getting care ↓
Cancer, arthritis and high blood pressure run high in Harding-Birch Lakes
1 in 9 adults have had cancer (10.8%), vs 7% across Alaska. 3 in 10 adults have arthritis (30.8%), vs 23.3% across Alaska. High blood pressure is also above the state: 41.6%, vs 32.5% across Alaska. In all, Harding-Birch Lakes runs above Alaska on six of 11 chronic conditions. Conditions ↓
More high blood pressure in Harding-Birch Lakes, and more people treating it
41.6% of adults have high blood pressure (Alaska 32.5%), but 75.1% of them take medicine for it, vs 68% statewide. Checkups ↓
Harding-Birch Lakes is short on dental care and mental health care
Harding-Birch Lakes’ county is a federal shortage area for dental care and mental health care, meaning too few providers for the people who live there. Getting care ↓
Harding-Birch Lakes keeps up with checkups
It beats Alaska on three of five routine checkups and screenings, including yearly checkups (73.5% vs 68.8%) and dentist visits (64.4% vs 59.7%). 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 Harding-Birch Lakes’ likely range.
Care in and near Harding-Birch Lakes
No hospital or community health center in Harding-Birch Lakes 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 Harding-Birch Lakes; ≈ 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).
Out of every 100 Harding-Birch Lakes adults…
Harding-Birch Lakes runs above AK on 6 of 12 conditions. Tap one to see it as people.
Keeping up with care
Share of Harding-Birch Lakes 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.
6.5 miles of trails across 2 parks and preserves
How Harding-Birch Lakes adults are doing
On 2 of 4 measures, Harding-Birch Lakes does better than Alaska.
3 in 10 Harding-Birch Lakes 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.
6.3% of Harding-Birch Lakes adults receive SNAP (food stamps), compared with 10.1% across Alaska.
Harding-Birch Lakes and the towns around it
How health changes across the town line.
Health next door
| Town | Health | Obesity | Diabetes | Smoking | Figures from |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Salcha | — | — | — | — |
Salcha: fewer than 1,000 residents. Same-state neighbors only, ordered by length of shared border.
Living with a disability
Shown without a better/worse judgment.
of Harding-Birch Lakes adults live with a disability (Alaska 29.6%). Walking or climbing stairs is the most common.
Questions about health in Harding-Birch Lakes
Why doesn’t Harding-Birch Lakes have a Health Grade?
Every Health Grade is built from seven of CDC’s PLACES estimates, and CDC doesn’t publish all seven for Harding-Birch Lakes.
Neighbors talk health
Doctors taking patients, urgent care, staying active in Harding-Birch Lakes.
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.