Report will detail health-related trends in West Michigan

Grand Valley will host its seventh annual West Michigan Health Care Economic Forecast on January 8, identifying significant health-related trends and issues for the four-county area.

The presentation includes research by Seidman College of Business faculty members and a panel discussion by area health care experts about industry trends.

The event will begin at 8 a.m. in the Eberhard Center. It is free and open to the public. The event will also be webcast, a link will be posted on the website closer to the event.

Kevin Callison, assistant professor of economics, will present findings from "Health Check: Analyzing Trends in West Michigan 2016," including data on job growth, area health care overview and demographic changes. Leslie Muller, assistant professor of economics, will share results of a community survey of residents regarding health insurance coverage.

The report is in partnership with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and Priority Health.

Panelists are Jim Green, executive director of human resources, Lacks Enterprises; Dr. Jay LaBine, chief medical officer, Priority Health; Nick Lyon, director, Michigan Department of Community Health; and Dr. Thomas Simmer, senior vice president and chief medical officer, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan.

Jean Nagelkerk, vice provost for Health, said the event and report is intended to inform health care policy and community decisions about the types of health care professionals, services and delivery systems that could best serve the area.

"West Michigan’s health care organizations, businesses, governmental agencies, foundations, and educational institutions share collective responsibility to improve the health, safety, and vitality of our region," Nagelkerk said. "Perseverance toward integrated, cost-effective, safe, quality health care across the lifespan is essential.”

For more information about the event, call (616) 331-5876.