Where Merrifield residents get care
CDC publishes only some of its health estimates for Merrifield, not the seven a Health Grade needs; here is what we do have.
Modeled estimates for adults 18+, CDC’s own estimate for Merrifield. How CDC estimates town health
What stands out about health in Merrifield
Heart disease, cancer and arthritis run high in Merrifield
1 in 13 adults have heart disease (7.8%), vs 5.9% across Minnesota. 1 in 9 adults have had cancer (10.8%), vs 8.5% across Minnesota. Arthritis is also above the state: 27.7%, vs 22.3% across Minnesota. In all, Merrifield runs above Minnesota on five of 11 chronic conditions. Conditions ↓
Merrifield adults report less loneliness
Loneliness (25.2% vs 31.2%), frequent mental distress (12.9% vs 15.1%) and depression (20.6% vs 24.4%) all run below Minnesota. Mind & connection ↓
Merrifield is short on dental care and mental health care
Merrifield’s county is a federal shortage area for dental care and mental health care, meaning too few providers for the people who live there. Getting care ↓
Fewer Merrifield adults struggle to make ends meet
Worries about food, housing and getting around all run below Minnesota. 1 in 12 adults worry about having enough food, vs 1 in 9 adults 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 Merrifield’s likely range.
Out of every 100 Merrifield adults…
Merrifield runs below MN on 1 of 12 conditions and above it on 5. Tap one to see it as people.
How Merrifield adults are doing
On 3 of 4 measures, Merrifield does better than Minnesota.
1 in 4 Merrifield 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.
Care in and near Merrifield
No hospital or community health center in Merrifield 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 Merrifield; ≈ 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).
Making ends meet
Needs that shape health as much as any doctor visit: food, housing, utilities and a way to get around.
5.8% of Merrifield adults receive SNAP (food stamps), compared with 7.9% across Minnesota.
Everyday habits, side by side with Minnesota
Share of adults, with the Minnesota figure marked.
0 miles of trails across 1 park or preserve
Keeping up with care
Share of Merrifield adults getting routine care. The full ring is 100%; the dark tick marks Minnesota.
Merrifield 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Edward Township | B+ | 36% | 11.9% | 13.6% | ZIP codes |
Same-state neighbors only, ordered by length of shared border.
Living with a disability
Shown without a better/worse judgment.
of Merrifield adults live with a disability (Minnesota 27.4%). Walking or climbing stairs is the most common.
Questions about health in Merrifield
Why doesn’t Merrifield have a Health Grade?
Every Health Grade is built from seven of CDC’s PLACES estimates, and CDC doesn’t publish all seven for Merrifield.
What hospital is closest to Merrifield?
Essentia Health St. Joseph's Medical Center in Brainerd, 7.5 miles in a straight line from Merrifield’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 Merrifield.
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.