Photo: Clerk8751 · CC BY 4.0Where Helena Township residents get care
CDC publishes only some of its health estimates for Helena Township, not the seven a Health Grade needs; here is what we do have.
Modeled estimates for adults 18+, from ZIP codes 49612, 49615. How CDC estimates town health
What stands out about health in Helena Township
Cancer, heart disease and arthritis run high in Helena Township
1 in 7 adults have had cancer (13.6%), vs 8.9% across Michigan. 1 in 11 adults have heart disease (9.2%), vs 7% across Michigan. Arthritis is also above the state: 37.3%, vs 29.1% across Michigan. In all, Helena Township runs above Michigan on six of 11 chronic conditions. Age is part of it: 38% of residents are 65 or older (Michigan 19%), and cancer, heart disease and arthritis are more common later in life. Conditions ↓
More high blood pressure in Helena Township, and more people treating it
42.5% of adults have high blood pressure (Michigan 36.7%), but 82.6% of them take medicine for it, vs 77.6% statewide. Checkups ↓
Helena Township keeps up with checkups
It beats Michigan on four of five routine checkups and screenings, including yearly checkups (83.8% 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 Helena Township’s likely range; Helena Township’s figures come from ZIP codes 49612, 49615, which may reach past town lines.
Out of every 100 Helena Township adults…
Helena Township runs above MI on 6 of 12 conditions. Tap one to see it as people.
Helena Township is an older town: 38% of residents are 65 or older, vs 19% across Michigan. Heart disease, arthritis and stroke rise with age, so higher rates here say as much about who lives in Helena Township as about how healthy they are.
Keeping up with care
Share of Helena Township adults getting routine care. The full ring is 100%; the dark tick marks Michigan.
Care in and near Helena Township
No hospital or community health center in Helena Township 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 Helena Township; ≈ 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).
Everyday habits, side by side with Michigan
Share of adults, with the Michigan figure marked.
13 miles of trails across 4 parks and preserves
How Helena Township adults are doing
On 1 of 4 measures, Helena Township does better than Michigan.
3 in 10 Helena Township 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.
8.8% of Helena Township adults receive SNAP (food stamps), compared with 14.3% across Michigan.
Helena Township 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forest Home Township | B | 35.7% | 13.5% | 12.3% | ZIP 49615 |
| Milton Township | B | 35.8% | 12.7% | 12.8% | ZIP codes |
| Custer Township | C+ | 37.6% | 13% | 15.8% | ZIP codes |
| Clearwater Township | B | 36.3% | 12.6% | 14% | ZIP codes |
| Rapid City | — | — | — | — |
Rapid City: a Census-designated place inside a larger town, graded as part of it. Same-state neighbors only, ordered by length of shared border.
Living with a disability
Shown without a better/worse judgment.
of Helena Township adults live with a disability (Michigan 31.1%). Walking or climbing stairs is the most common.
Questions about health in Helena Township
Why doesn’t Helena Township have a Health Grade?
Every Health Grade is built from seven of CDC’s PLACES estimates, and CDC doesn’t publish all seven for Helena Township.
What hospital is closest to Helena Township?
Kalkaska Memorial Health Center in Kalkaska, 11.8 miles in a straight line from Helena Township’s center point, is the nearest general hospital with an emergency room. It has no Medicare star rating.
Where can I get low-cost care near Helena Township?
1 community health center sites are within 10 miles; the nearest is Bellaire Family Health Center in Bellaire, 5.6 miles away. They charge on a sliding scale by income.
Neighbors talk health
Doctors taking patients, urgent care, staying active in Helena Township.
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.