Where Western Township residents get care
CDC publishes only some of its health estimates for Western Township, not the seven a Health Grade needs; here is what we do have.
Modeled estimates for adults 18+, from ZIP codes 56522, 56537. How CDC estimates town health
What stands out about health in Western Township
Western Township is short on every kind of care federal data tracks
Western Township’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 ↓
COPD, heart disease and cancer run high in Western Township
1 in 15 adults have COPD (6.6%), vs 5.4% across Minnesota. 1 in 14 adults have heart disease (7.1%), vs 5.9% across Minnesota. Cancer is also above the state: 10.1%, vs 8.5% across Minnesota. In all, Western Township runs above Minnesota on five 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 Western Township’s likely range; Western Township’s figures come from ZIP codes 56522, 56537, which may reach past town lines.
Care in and near Western Township
No hospital or community health center in Western 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 Western 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).
Out of every 100 Western Township adults…
Western Township runs above MN on 5 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.
3.2 miles of trails across 10 parks and preserves
Keeping up with care
Share of Western Township adults getting routine care. The full ring is 100%; the dark tick marks Minnesota.
How Western Township adults are doing
About the same as Minnesota on each measure.
3 in 10 Western 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.
Making ends meet
Needs that shape health as much as any doctor visit: food, housing, utilities and a way to get around.
7.9% of Western Township adults receive SNAP (food stamps), compared with 7.9% across Minnesota.
Western 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aastad Township | — | — | — | — | |
| Orwell Township | — | — | — | — | |
| Lawrence Township | — | — | — | — | |
| Bradford Township | — | — | — | — |
Aastad Township, Orwell Township, Lawrence Township and Bradford 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 Western Township adults live with a disability (Minnesota 27.4%). Walking or climbing stairs is the most common.
Questions about health in Western Township
Why doesn’t Western 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 Western Township.
What hospital is closest to Western Township?
Prairie Ridge Hospital and Health Services in Elbow Lake, 15.5 miles in a straight line from Western Township’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 Western 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.