Where Shields residents get care
CDC publishes only some of its health estimates for Shields, not the seven a Health Grade needs; here is what we do have.
Modeled estimates for adults 18+, CDC’s own estimate for Shields. How CDC estimates town health
What stands out about health in Shields
Cancer and heart disease run high in Shields
1 in 8 adults have had cancer (11.9%), vs 8.9% across Michigan. 1 in 12 adults have heart disease (8.5%), vs 7% across Michigan. In all, Shields runs above Michigan on three of 11 chronic conditions. Age is part of it: 29% of residents are 65 or older (Michigan 19%), and cancer and heart disease are more common later in life. Conditions ↓
Fewer Shields adults struggle to make ends meet
Worries about food, housing, utility bills and getting around all run below Michigan. 1 in 8 adults worry about having enough food, vs 1 in 6 adults statewide. Everyday needs ↓
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 Shields’ likely range.
Out of every 100 Shields adults…
Shields runs above MI on 3 of 12 conditions. Tap one to see it as people.
Shields is an older town: 29% 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 Shields as about how healthy they are.
Making ends meet
Needs that shape health as much as any doctor visit: food, housing, utilities and a way to get around.
11.4% of Shields adults receive SNAP (food stamps), compared with 14.3% across Michigan.
Care in and near Shields
No hospital or community health center in Shields 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 Shields; ≈ 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.
1.1 miles of trails across 2 parks and preserves
Keeping up with care
Share of Shields adults getting routine care. The full ring is 100%; the dark tick marks Michigan.
How Shields adults are doing
About the same as Michigan on each measure.
1 in 3 Shields 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.
Shields 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thomas Township | B | 33.1% | 12.1% | 13.9% | ZIP codes |
| Saginaw Township | — | — | — | — | |
| James Township | B− | 33.3% | 13.1% | 14.3% | ZIP 48609 |
Saginaw Township: not graded. Same-state neighbors only, ordered by length of shared border.
Living with a disability
Shown without a better/worse judgment.
of Shields adults live with a disability (Michigan 31.1%). Walking or climbing stairs is the most common.
Questions about health in Shields
Why doesn’t Shields have a Health Grade?
Every Health Grade is built from seven of CDC’s PLACES estimates, and CDC doesn’t publish all seven for Shields.
What hospital is closest to Shields?
Healthsource Saginaw in Saginaw, 2.6 miles in a straight line from Shields’ 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 Shields?
8 community health center sites are within 10 miles; the nearest is Great Lakes Bay Health Centers Davenport in Saginaw, 4.8 miles away. They charge on a sliding scale by income.
Neighbors talk health
Doctors taking patients, urgent care, staying active in Shields.
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.