Photo: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, photographer not specified or unknown · Public domainWhere Big Bay residents get care
CDC publishes only some of its health estimates for Big Bay, not the seven a Health Grade needs; here is what we do have.
Modeled estimates for adults 18+, CDC’s own estimate for Big Bay. How CDC estimates town health
What stands out about health in Big Bay
Cancer, heart disease and arthritis run high in Big Bay
1 in 8 adults have had cancer (13.3%), vs 8.9% across Michigan. 1 in 10 adults have heart disease (9.8%), vs 7% across Michigan. Arthritis is also above the state: 37%, vs 29.1% across Michigan. In all, Big Bay runs above Michigan on six of 11 chronic conditions. Age is part of it: 40% of residents are 65 or older (Michigan 19%), and cancer, heart disease and arthritis are more common later in life. Conditions ↓
The nearest ER is 22 miles from Big Bay
The closest emergency room is Bell Hospital in Ishpeming, 21.8 miles away in a straight line. Getting care ↓
More high blood pressure in Big Bay, and more people treating it
44% of adults have high blood pressure (Michigan 36.7%), but 83.8% of them take medicine for it, vs 77.6% statewide. Checkups ↓
Big Bay keeps up with checkups
It beats Michigan on four of five routine checkups and screenings, including yearly checkups (84.5% vs 80.3%) and dentist visits (71.3% vs 68%). 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 Michigan figure falls outside Big Bay’s likely range.
Out of every 100 Big Bay adults…
Big Bay runs above MI on 6 of 12 conditions. Tap one to see it as people.
Big Bay is an older town: 40% of residents are 65 or older, vs 19% across Michigan. Heart disease, arthritis and cancer rise with age, so higher rates here say as much about who lives in Big Bay as about how healthy they are.
Keeping up with care
Share of Big Bay adults getting routine care. The full ring is 100%; the dark tick marks Michigan.
Care in and near Big Bay
No hospital or community health center in Big Bay 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 Big Bay; ≈ marks a hospital located by its town, not its street. Shortage areas: HRSA Health Professional Shortage Areas.
Everyday habits, side by side with Michigan
Share of adults, with the Michigan figure marked.
3.3 miles of trails across 4 parks and preserves
How Big Bay adults are doing
On 2 of 4 measures, Big Bay does better than Michigan.
1 in 4 Big Bay 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.
8.6% of Big Bay adults receive SNAP (food stamps), compared with 14.3% across Michigan.
Big Bay and the towns around it
How health changes across the town line.
Nearby towns are shaded from CDC’s estimates for their ZIP codes, or CDC’s own figure for cities and villages.
Health next door
| Town | Health | Obesity | Diabetes | Smoking | Figures from |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Powell Township | — | — | — | — |
Powell Township: 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 Big Bay adults live with a disability (Michigan 31.1%). Walking or climbing stairs is the most common.
Questions about health in Big Bay
Why doesn’t Big Bay have a Health Grade?
Every Health Grade is built from seven of CDC’s PLACES estimates, and CDC doesn’t publish all seven for Big Bay.
What hospital is closest to Big Bay?
Bell Hospital in Ishpeming, 21.8 miles in a straight line from Big Bay’s center point, is the nearest general hospital with an emergency room. It has no Medicare star rating.
Neighbors talk health
Doctors taking patients, urgent care, staying active in Big Bay.
Health estimates: CDC PLACES: Local Data for Better Health, 2025 release. The Michigan 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.