Where West Branch Township residents get care
CDC publishes only some of its health estimates for West Branch Township, not the seven a Health Grade needs; here is what we do have.
Modeled estimates for adults 18+, from ZIP codes 49877, 49831. How CDC estimates town health
What stands out about health in West Branch Township
Cancer, heart disease and arthritis run high in West Branch Township
1 in 7 adults have had cancer (14.1%), vs 8.9% across Michigan. 1 in 9 adults have heart disease (10.6%), vs 7% across Michigan. Arthritis is also above the state: 39.6%, vs 29.1% across Michigan. In all, West Branch Township runs above Michigan on eight of 11 chronic conditions. Conditions ↓
The nearest ER is 24 miles from West Branch Township
The closest emergency room is Bell Hospital in Ishpeming, 23.8 miles away in a straight line. For everyday care, Upper Great Lakes Family Health Center is closer (16.2 mi) and charges on a sliding scale. Getting care ↓
More high blood pressure in West Branch Township, and more people treating it
45.5% of adults have high blood pressure (Michigan 36.7%), but 84.2% of them take medicine for it, vs 77.6% statewide. Checkups ↓
West Branch Township keeps up with checkups
It beats Michigan on three of five routine checkups and screenings, including yearly checkups (85.4% vs 80.3%) and dentist visits (73.8% 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 West Branch Township’s likely range; West Branch Township’s figures come from ZIP codes 49877, 49831, which may reach past town lines.
Out of every 100 West Branch Township adults…
West Branch Township runs above MI on 8 of 12 conditions. Tap one to see it as people.
Care in and near West Branch Township
No hospital or community health center in West Branch 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 West Branch 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).
Keeping up with care
Share of West Branch Township adults getting routine care. The full ring is 100%; the dark tick marks Michigan.
Everyday habits, side by side with Michigan
Share of adults, with the Michigan figure marked.
75 miles of trails across 3 parks and preserves
How West Branch Township adults are doing
On 1 of 4 measures, West Branch Township does better than Michigan.
3 in 10 West Branch 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.
8.5% of West Branch Township adults receive SNAP (food stamps), compared with 14.3% across Michigan.
West Branch 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Felch Township | — | — | — | — | |
| Forsyth Township | C+ | 39.3% | 12.3% | 16.1% | ZIP codes |
| Breen Township | — | — | — | — | |
| Ely Township | C+ | 38.5% | 12.5% | 15.9% | ZIP codes |
| Tilden Township | C+ | 38.7% | 11.9% | 15.9% | ZIP codes |
| Wells Township | — | — | — | — |
Felch Township, Breen Township and Wells 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 West Branch Township adults live with a disability (Michigan 31.1%). Walking or climbing stairs is the most common.
Questions about health in West Branch Township
Why doesn’t West Branch 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 West Branch Township.
What hospital is closest to West Branch Township?
Bell Hospital in Ishpeming, 23.8 miles in a straight line from West Branch Township’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 West Branch 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.