October 2026 Newsletter
Letter from the Health Officer
Dear Community Member,
Pope Leo’s lung cancer diagnosis has many people asking important questions about how this terrible illness develops. We have all heard that smoking is the number one cause of lung cancer. What many people do not realize is that lung cancer has other possible causes and can develop in people with no history of smoking. The same is true of most other types of cancer: they can result from many factors and sometimes develop with no obvious cause at all.
Cancer—in all its forms—remains a major public health concern in the United States, affecting millions of individuals and families each year. According to the American Cancer Society’s Cancer Facts & Figures 2026 report, approximately 2.1 million new cancer cases and 626,140 cancer deaths are expected in the United States in 2026. This represents about 5,800 new diagnoses and 1,700 deaths each day. Approximately 39 out of every 100 Americans are expected to develop cancer during their lifetime. Cancer and heart disease remain, by far, the two leading causes of death in the U.S.
Despite these challenges, significant progress has been made. The overall cancer death rate has declined by 34% since its peak in 1991, helping avert approximately 4.8 million deaths. Improvements in cancer prevention, screening, and treatment have all contributed to this encouraging trend.
As of this writing, it sounds as though the Pope’s surgery was successful and that he, like so many people here in Kent County and around the world, is now on a path to recovery. I am grateful for the many advancements in cancer surgery and treatment, but I also want to encourage you to consider the importance of prevention and early detection. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle, avoiding tobacco, following recommended screening guidelines, and discussing personal risk factors with a healthcare professional can help reduce cancer risk and, in some cases, detect cancer earlier when treatment may be more effective.
Adam London, PhD, RS, DAAS
Administrative Health Officer
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Breast Cancer Awareness Month: Early Detection Matters
While lung cancer may be in the spotlight, October is also Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a time to highlight the importance of early detection and access to care.
Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer among American women and the second-leading cause of cancer death in women after lung cancer. In 2026, an estimated 9,900 Michigan residents will be diagnosed with breast cancer, and 1,320 are expected to die from the disease.
Early detection can make a difference, and our Breast and Cervical Cancer Control Navigation Program (BC3NP) is here to help eligible residents access the care they need, including:
- Breast and cervical cancer screenings, including mammograms and Pap tests
- Follow-up care for abnormal screening results
- Assistance with screening and diagnostic services not covered by insurance
- Potential treatment coverage for eligible patients diagnosed with breast or cervical cancer through the BC3NP Medicaid Treatment Act (MTA)
Uninsured and underinsured residents may qualify for services at no cost or assistance with costs not covered by insurance.
When breast cancer is detected at a localized stage, the five-year relative survival rate is nearly 99%. Contact our team today by phone or email to discuss enrollment.
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Medicaid Changes: What You Should Know & Do to Prepare
Health insurance is an important part of getting the medical care you need, but recent changes to Medicaid could affect your coverage. We want to help you understand what’s happening and, most importantly, what you can do now to help keep your coverage running smoothly.
Two Important Changes:
October 2026: Medicaid eligibility rules will change for some people who are not U.S. citizens. These changes do not affect everyone. Most pregnant people and children under 21 will continue to receive full Medicaid coverage.
January 2027: Some adults with Healthy Michigan Plan (HMP) coverage will need to work, go to school, or complete other approved activities to keep their coverage. Many people may already meet these requirements and only need to provide proof. Medicaid renewals will also happen every six months instead of once a year.
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Steps You Can Take Now:
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Log in to MI Bridges account to make sure your contact information is up to date and make the appropriate changes if needed.
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Upload current immigration documents to your MI Bridges account so MDHHS has the information it needs to accurately determine your eligibility.
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Report pregnancy information if you are curently pregnant or have been pregnant within the last 12 months.
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Watch your mail closely and respond quickly to Medicaid renewal packets, letters from your health plan, or local county Medicaid office.
Need help? Call the Michigan Beneficiary Help Line at 1-800-642-3195, contact a local community navigator for assistance, or connect with the West Michigan Medicaid Task Force for trusted information and resources.
Turning Opioid Settlement Funds Into Community Impact
The Kent County Board of Commissioners recently approved an Opioid Settlement Spending Plan for fiscal years 2027 and 2028, building upon existing efforts formed a few years back and introducing new initiatives to prevent overdoses, reduce harm, and expand access to treatment and recovery services across the area.
Key Investments:
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Expanding prevention education by adding school-based programming and giving schools more options to meet student needs
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Increasing access to naloxone and harm reduction resources to help prevent fatal overdoses
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Strengthening recovery support through expanded recovery coaching and jail-based treatment programs
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Expanding treatment options and developing outreach and education to address racial disparities in overdose deaths
Kent County has received $8.2 million in opioid settlement payments to date and expects to receive approximately $19.1 million through 2038. To see the full plan and learn more about how funds will be spent, visit our website.
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Dispose of Old or Unwanted Medications Safely & Anonymously
 In partnership with the Drug Enforcement Administration, Priority Health, and Corewell Health, we’re encouraging community members to participate in National Drug Take Back Day from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24.
That's when community members can drop off their unwanted, unused, or expired prescription and over-the-counter medications at the following locations:
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Kent County Health Department, located at 700 Fuller Ave. NE, Grand Rapids
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Priority Health, located at 3111 Leonard St. NE, Grand Rapids
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Corewell Health Grand Rapids Hospitals Care Center – Cutlerville, located at 80 68th Street, Grand Rapids
In 2025, 29 Kent County residents died from an overdose involving opioids. Proper disposal helps prevent misuse, accidental overdoses, and protects the environment, while increased naloxone access provides another life-saving layer of protection.
Pick up free naloxone, an FDA-approved medication that can reverse opioid overdoses, while you're there!
Do Your Best to Ghost the Influenza Virus This Spooky Season
Respiratory illness season is creeping in, casting a higher risk of catching the flu. That's because as the temperatures drop and more people gather indoors, viruses like influenza can spread faster than a ghostly whisper.
Fortunately, you don’t have to be haunted by illness—the flu vaccine is your best protection against serious complications and hospitalization from the flu.
Annual flu vaccination is recommended for most people ages 6 months and older. Check with your health care provider to see how it can help keep your family healthy this spooky season.
In addition to vaccination, keep the bugs and boogeymen at bay by washing your hands often, covering coughs and sneezes, staying home when you’re sick, and keeping up healthy routines like good sleep and regular activity. Consider enjoying the crisp air and colorful scenery by stopping at one of the many parks along our local Fall Color Tour. It’s a great way to keep your spirits high and your health strong, with a few excusatory road treats in between.
Learn more about our clinic hours, locations, and how to schedule your flu shot by visiting our website or giving us a call at 616-632-7200. Pssssst: We also have RSV and Covid vaccine available by appointment.
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A Little Halloween Fun Goes a Long Way for Lead Safety
Looking for a free, family-friendly Halloween event that's fun for everyone? The Healthy Homes Coalition of West Michigan is hosting its annual Trunk or Treat for Lead Defeat during National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week, bringing together seasonal fun, lead safety education, and valuable community resources.
Event Details:
Families can explore a maze built by Job Corps construction students, enjoy music from a DJ, enter raffle prize giveaways, and grab free apple cider and donuts. More than 25 community organizations will also be on hand to share resources and information about preventing lead poisoning.
For more information and event updates, visit the Healthy Homes Coalition of West Michigan's Facebook page.
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Getting Inked This Halloween? Treat Yourself to Safe Tattooing
Halloween is a time for creative self-expression, so it makes sense that the Grand Rapids Tattoo Festival would bring hundreds of tattoo artists from across the country to our backyard later this month. But it's important to remember that tattoos last long after the costumes come off, and taking steps to ensure a safe tattooing experience is just as important as choosing the right design.
Tattoo Safety Tips:
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Choose a licensed studio: Look for proper sanitation, sterilized equipment, and new, single-use needles.
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Ask about the ink: Some inks can trigger allergic reactions, so ask your artist about the products they use.
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Prepare ahead: Avoid alcohol and drugs before your appointment, and eat a meal beforehand.
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Follow aftercare instructions: Keep your tattoo clean, avoid swimming and excessive sun exposure while it heals, and watch for signs of infection, including worsening redness, pus, fever, or unusual pain.
While our Environmental Health team will be on site at the three-day festival to inspect booths and promote safe tattooing practices, you can still do your part by following the safety tips above all year long.
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People’s Champion Award: Celebrating Compassion
Each month, the previous recipient of the People’s Champion Award selects the next honoree — a tradition that allows us to recognize staff who consistently go above and beyond their everyday responsibilities.
This month, we’re proud to recognize Jami Richardson, Public Health Nurse in our Community Wellness Division, for her compassion, advocacy, and commitment to collaboration.
Jami makes sure the people she serves feel heard, supported, and advocated for, building trust through her kindness and genuine care. She also builds positive relationships with colleagues and teams across departments, communicating with kindness and respect to strengthen partnerships and improve care for the families she serves.
Please join us in congratulating Jami on this well-deserved recognition as our People’s Champion!
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Opportunities With Impact: Start a Career in Public Health
Are you passionate about helping others and having a meaningful impact in your community? Consider applying to join our team!
We’re currently hiring for the following full-time position:
Working at your local health department means serving your neighbors, strengthening community partnerships, and being part of a team dedicated to caring for those who need it most.
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