Where Backus residents get care
CDC publishes only some of its health estimates for Backus, not the seven a Health Grade needs; here is what we do have.
Modeled estimates for adults 18+, CDC’s own estimate for Backus. How CDC estimates town health
What stands out about health in Backus
COPD, heart disease and stroke run high in Backus
1 in 11 adults have COPD (9.1%), vs 5.4% across Minnesota. 1 in 10 adults have heart disease (9.7%), vs 5.9% across Minnesota. Stroke is also above the state: 4.8%, vs 3.1% across Minnesota. In all, Backus runs above Minnesota on eight of 11 chronic conditions. Conditions ↓
More Backus adults get no exercise
3 in 10 adults get no exercise outside work (29.8%), vs 22.3% across Minnesota. Habits ↓
More high blood pressure in Backus, and more people treating it
40.3% of adults have high blood pressure (Minnesota 31%), but 81.7% of them take medicine for it, vs 76.1% statewide. Checkups ↓
The nearest ER is 27 miles from Backus
The closest emergency room is St. Josephs Area Health Services in Park Rapids, 26.7 miles away in a straight line. Getting care ↓
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 Backus’ likely range.
Out of every 100 Backus adults…
Backus runs above MN on 9 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.
Walk with neighbors
The easiest exercise habit to keep is one with company.
Keeping up with care
Share of Backus adults getting routine care. The full ring is 100%; the dark tick marks Minnesota.
Care in and near Backus
No hospital or community health center in Backus 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 Backus; ≈ 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).
How Backus adults are doing
About the same as Minnesota on each measure.
1 in 4 Backus 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.
10.4% of Backus adults receive SNAP (food stamps), compared with 7.9% across Minnesota.
Backus 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 Backus adults live with a disability (Minnesota 27.4%). Walking or climbing stairs is the most common.
Questions about health in Backus
Why doesn’t Backus have a Health Grade?
Every Health Grade is built from seven of CDC’s PLACES estimates, and CDC doesn’t publish all seven for Backus.
What hospital is closest to Backus?
St. Josephs Area Health Services in Park Rapids, 26.7 miles in a straight line from Backus’ center point, is the nearest general hospital with an emergency room. Medicare rates it 3 of 5 stars.
Neighbors talk health
Doctors taking patients, urgent care, staying active in Backus.
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.