Photo: Bering Land Bridge National Preserve · CC BY 2.0Where Shishmaref residents get care
CDC publishes only some of its health estimates for Shishmaref, not the seven a Health Grade needs; here is what we do have.
Modeled estimates for adults 18+, CDC’s own estimate for Shishmaref. How CDC estimates town health
What stands out about health in Shishmaref
Dental care lags in Shishmaref
35.1% of adults saw a dentist this year, vs 59.7% across Alaska. Among those 65 and older, 30.5% have lost all their teeth (Alaska 13.5%). Checkups ↓
Smoking is more common in Shishmaref
1 in 3 adults smoke cigarettes (35.7%), more than twice the Alaska rate. Habits ↓
The nearest ER is 112 miles from Shishmaref
The closest emergency room is Norton Sound Regional Hospital in Nome, 111.6 miles away in a straight line. And 25.8% of adults lack reliable transportation, vs 9% across Alaska. For everyday care, Norton Sound Health is closer (1.5 mi) and charges on a sliding scale. Getting care ↓
More Shishmaref adults live with a disability
47% of adults live with a disability, vs 29.6% across Alaska. The biggest difference is vision loss: 13.1% vs 4.7%. Disability ↓
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 Shishmaref’s likely range.
Keeping up with care
Share of Shishmaref 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.
Care in and near Shishmaref
1 community health center in Shishmaref, plus the nearest just outside it.
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 Shishmaref; ≈ 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).
Living with a disability
Shown without a better/worse judgment.
of Shishmaref adults live with a disability (Alaska 29.6%). Thinking or memory is the most common.
Out of every 100 Shishmaref adults…
Shishmaref runs below AK on 1 of 12 conditions and above it on 8. Tap one to see it as people.
How Shishmaref adults are doing
On 2 of 4 measures, Shishmaref runs above Alaska.
4 in 10 Shishmaref 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.
35.6% of Shishmaref adults receive SNAP (food stamps), compared with 10.1% across Alaska.
Shishmaref 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.
Questions about health in Shishmaref
Why doesn’t Shishmaref have a Health Grade?
Every Health Grade is built from seven of CDC’s PLACES estimates, and CDC doesn’t publish all seven for Shishmaref.
Where can I get low-cost care near Shishmaref?
1 community health center sites are within 10 miles; the nearest is Katherine Miksruaq Olanna Memorial HC in Shishmaref, 1.5 miles away. They charge on a sliding scale by income.
Neighbors talk health
Doctors taking patients, urgent care, staying active in Shishmaref.
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.