Where Alpha residents get care
CDC publishes only some of its health estimates for Alpha, not the seven a Health Grade needs; here is what we do have.
Modeled estimates for adults 18+, CDC’s own estimate for Alpha. How CDC estimates town health
What stands out about health in Alpha
Alpha is short on every kind of care federal data tracks
Alpha’s county is a federal shortage area for primary care, dental care and mental health care, meaning too few providers for the people who live there. Getting care ↓
Cancer and heart disease run high in Alpha
1 in 9 adults have had cancer (11%), vs 8.5% across Minnesota. 1 in 14 adults have heart disease (7.4%), vs 5.9% across Minnesota. In all, Alpha runs above Minnesota on three of 11 chronic conditions. Conditions ↓
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 Minnesota figure falls outside Alpha’s likely range.
Care in and near Alpha
No hospital or community health center in Alpha 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 Alpha; ≈ 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).
Out of every 100 Alpha adults…
Alpha runs above MN on 4 of 12 conditions. Tap one to see it as people.
Everyday habits, side by side with Minnesota
Share of adults, with the Minnesota figure marked.
0.2 miles of trails across 2 parks and preserves
Keeping up with care
Share of Alpha adults getting routine care. The full ring is 100%; the dark tick marks Minnesota.
How Alpha adults are doing
On 1 of 4 measures, Alpha does better than Minnesota.
1 in 4 Alpha 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.
6.4% of Alpha adults receive SNAP (food stamps), compared with 7.9% across Minnesota.
Alpha 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.
Living with a disability
Shown without a better/worse judgment.
of Alpha adults live with a disability (Minnesota 27.4%). Walking or climbing stairs is the most common.
Questions about health in Alpha
Why doesn’t Alpha have a Health Grade?
Every Health Grade is built from seven of CDC’s PLACES estimates, and CDC doesn’t publish all seven for Alpha.
What hospital is closest to Alpha?
Sanford Jackson Medical Center in Jackson, 6.7 miles in a straight line from Alpha’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 Alpha.
Health estimates: CDC PLACES: Local Data for Better Health, 2025 release. The Minnesota 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.