Photo: Myotus · CC BY 4.0Where Leaf River Township residents get care
CDC publishes only some of its health estimates for Leaf River Township, not the seven a Health Grade needs; here is what we do have.
Modeled estimates for adults 18+, from ZIP codes 56482, 56477. How CDC estimates town health
What stands out about health in Leaf River Township
COPD, heart disease and stroke run high in Leaf River Township
1 in 12 adults have COPD (8.5%), vs 5.4% across Minnesota. 1 in 12 adults have heart disease (8.6%), vs 5.9% across Minnesota. Stroke is also above the state: 4.4%, vs 3.1% across Minnesota. In all, Leaf River Township runs above Minnesota on seven of 11 chronic conditions. Conditions ↓
More Leaf River Township adults get no exercise
3 in 10 adults get no exercise outside work (30.4%), vs 22.3% across Minnesota. Habits ↓
Making ends meet is harder in Leaf River Township
1 in 7 adults worry about having enough food (14.9%), vs 11.4% across Minnesota. Utility shut-off threats (7.1% vs 5.7%) and no reliable transportation (8.6% vs 7.1%) are higher too. 12% 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 Leaf River Township’s likely range; Leaf River Township’s figures come from ZIP codes 56482, 56477, which may reach past town lines.
Out of every 100 Leaf River Township adults…
Leaf River Township runs above MN on 8 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.
3.7 miles of trails across 0 parks and preserves
Making ends meet
Needs that shape health as much as any doctor visit: food, housing, utilities and a way to get around.
12% of Leaf River Township adults receive SNAP (food stamps), compared with 7.9% across Minnesota.
Care in and near Leaf River Township
No hospital or community health center in Leaf River 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 Leaf River 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 Leaf River Township adults getting routine care. The full ring is 100%; the dark tick marks Minnesota.
How Leaf River Township adults are doing
On 1 of 4 measures, Leaf River Township runs above Minnesota.
1 in 3 Leaf River 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.
Leaf River 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wadena | C− | 38.6% | 13.5% | 18% | CDC place |
| Wadena Township | — | — | — | — | |
| Rockwood Township | — | — | — | — | |
| Wing River Township | — | — | — | — | |
| Bluffton Township | — | — | — | — |
Wadena Township: the same community as Wadena, graded once. Rockwood Township, Wing River Township and Bluffton 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 Leaf River Township adults live with a disability (Minnesota 27.4%). Walking or climbing stairs is the most common.
Questions about health in Leaf River Township
Why doesn’t Leaf River 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 Leaf River Township.
What hospital is closest to Leaf River Township?
Astera Health in Wadena, 4.5 miles in a straight line from Leaf River 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 Leaf River 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.