Health Check

January 12, 2026


Dear Colleagues,

We are pleased to present Health Check 2026: Analyzing Trends in West Michigan. This report represents a collaborative initiative among Grand Valley State University’s Kirkhof College of Nursing (KCON), Seidman College of Business, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, Blue Care Network, and Priority Health.

This marks the 17th year of Health Check’s systematic analysis of health and healthcare data across Kent, Ottawa, Muskegon, and Allegan (KOMA) counties. The sustained examination of these health-related data over time continues to serve as a critical resource for informed decision-making processes and policy development across government, health care systems, educational institutions, and the business sector.

Our economic analysis integrates data from our insurance provider partners, the American Hospital Association, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and additional sources to provide comprehensive insights into the economic influence of healthcare in West Michigan. The report examines the evolution of health care trends over time and benchmarks regional performance against peer communities, including the Detroit metropolitan area. Notably, the insurance provider data on average costs for specific medical conditions provides unique insights on cost trajectories. Over the past four years, we have expanded our scope to include analysis of how diverse communities engage with the healthcare system.

We remain committed to advancing research and presenting data that enable our communities to address critical healthcare challenges. We are honored to contribute evidence-based insights that support strategic decision-making among our local and state partner organizations with the goal of ensuring safe, high-quality, and cost-effective healthcare delivery for our region. We trust you will find the data valuable to your work.

Respectfully Yours,