Where Forest Township residents get care
CDC publishes only some of its health estimates for Forest Township, not the seven a Health Grade needs; here is what we do have.
Modeled estimates for adults 18+, from ZIP code 56575. How CDC estimates town health
What stands out about health in Forest Township
COPD, stroke and heart disease run high in Forest Township
1 in 10 adults have COPD (9.8%), vs 5.4% across Minnesota. 1 in 18 adults have had a stroke (5.6%), vs 3.1% across Minnesota. Heart disease is also above the state: 10.5%, vs 5.9% across Minnesota. In all, Forest Township runs above Minnesota on nine of 11 chronic conditions. Conditions ↓
Dental care lags in Forest Township
56.9% of adults saw a dentist this year, vs 67.5% across Minnesota. Among those 65 and older, 16.6% have lost all their teeth (Minnesota 8.9%). Forest Township’s county is a federal shortage area for dental care. Checkups ↓
Making ends meet is harder in Forest Township
1 in 5 adults worry about having enough food (21.8%), about twice the Minnesota rate. No reliable transportation (12.6% vs 7.1%) and utility shut-off threats (9.7% vs 5.7%) are higher too. 16.4% of adults receive SNAP, vs 7.9% 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 Minnesota figure falls outside Forest Township’s likely range; Forest Township’s figures come from ZIP code 56575, which may reach past town lines.
Out of every 100 Forest Township adults…
Forest Township runs above MN on 11 of 12 conditions. Tap one to see it as people.
Keeping up with care
Share of Forest Township adults getting routine care. The full ring is 100%; the dark tick marks Minnesota.
Making ends meet
Needs that shape health as much as any doctor visit: food, housing, utilities and a way to get around.
16.4% of Forest Township adults receive SNAP (food stamps), compared with 7.9% across Minnesota.
Care in and near Forest Township
No hospital or community health center in Forest 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 Forest 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 Minnesota
Share of adults, with the Minnesota figure marked.
6.8 miles of trails across 4 parks and preserves
How Forest Township adults are doing
On 1 of 4 measures, Forest Township runs above Minnesota.
3 in 10 Forest 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.
Forest 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Long Lost Lake Township | — | — | — | — | |
| Savannah Township | — | — | — | — | |
| Pine Point Township | — | — | — | — | |
| Round Lake Township | — | — | — | — |
Long Lost Lake Township, Savannah Township, Pine Point Township and Round Lake 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 Forest Township adults live with a disability (Minnesota 27.4%). Walking or climbing stairs is the most common.
Questions about health in Forest Township
Why doesn’t Forest 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 Forest Township.
What hospital is closest to Forest Township?
St. Josephs Area Health Services in Park Rapids, 19.5 miles in a straight line from Forest Township’s 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 Forest Township.
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.