Disease Clusters in Grand Rapids, Michigan

Sometimes a greater-than-expected number of people in the same neighborhood, workplace, school, or social group are diagnosed with the same disease. When this happens in Grand Rapids or anywhere else, it may be described as a disease cluster.

What Is a Disease Cluster?

A disease cluster is a group of similar health events (such as cases of the same disease) that appear in a specific place and time at a higher rate than would normally be expected.

In Grand Rapids, concerns about disease clusters may arise in:

  • A particular neighborhood or apartment complex
  • A workplace or industrial site
  • A school, daycare, or college campus
  • A faith community or social group

Public health teams, such as the Kent County Health Department and Grand Rapids Public Health partners, may be involved in evaluating these concerns.

Communicable vs. Non‑Communicable Disease Clusters

Communicable Diseases

Communicable diseases are infections that can be spread from person to person. These often occur in clusters because they are contagious.

Common examples that can cluster in West Michigan include:

  • Colds and seasonal flu (especially during Michigan’s long winter)
  • COVID‑19
  • Whooping cough (pertussis)
  • Stomach viruses (norovirus)
  • Sexually transmitted infections such as chlamydia and HIV

In Grand Rapids, outbreaks of communicable diseases are monitored by:

  • Kent County Health Department
  • Local health systems such as Corewell Health (formerly Spectrum Health), Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health – University of Michigan Health, and Mercy Health

These clusters are usually investigated quickly to prevent further spread.

Non‑Communicable Diseases

Non‑communicable diseases (NCDs) are not infectious and cannot be passed directly from one person to another.

Examples include:

  • Cancer
  • Cardiovascular disease (heart attack, stroke)
  • Asthma and chronic lung disease
  • Diabetes

Non‑communicable disease clusters are rare, but when they are suspected in a Grand Rapids neighborhood or workplace, they can cause understandable concern. People often worry that an environmental factor—such as industrial pollution, contaminated water, or radiation—might be responsible.

In most cases, however, a suspected non‑communicable disease cluster turns out not to be a true cluster when carefully studied.

When Non‑Communicable Disease Clusters Do Occur

Although uncommon, non‑communicable disease clusters can happen. Often, they are linked to long‑term exposure to a particular substance or environmental factor.

Historical examples include:

  • Asbestos and mesothelioma

    • Mesothelioma is a rare cancer affecting the lining of the lungs.
    • Clusters of mesothelioma cases were linked to asbestos exposure, especially among workers in construction, shipyards, and heavy industry.
    • While asbestos use has been heavily restricted, older buildings in Michigan (including in Grand Rapids) may still contain asbestos materials.

  • DES and rare vaginal cancers

    • In the mid‑1900s, some pregnant women were given a hormone called diethylstilbestrol (DES) to prevent miscarriage.
    • Years later, rare vaginal and cervical cancers were identified in some of their daughters.

  • Workplace exposures

    • About 5% of cancers are estimated to be due to workplace exposure to carcinogens such as asbestos, formaldehyde, arsenic, or wood dust.
    • In communities where many people work in the same industry—such as manufacturing, automotive, or woodworking—there may be higher rates of certain diseases related to workplace exposure.

Common Features of Non‑Communicable Disease Clusters

True non‑communicable disease clusters often share features such as:

  • A large number of people affected by the same specific disease
  • The number of cases cannot be explained by chance or normal statistics
  • The disease is rare, especially for that age group or population
  • People share similar exposures (for example, working with the same chemical, living near the same industrial site, or drinking from the same water source)

Local Context: Disease Clusters in Grand Rapids

In the Grand Rapids and Kent County area, people may worry about disease clusters related to:

  • Industrial or manufacturing sites along major corridors
  • Older housing with potential lead paint or asbestos
  • Air quality issues, especially in colder months when people spend more time indoors
  • Seasonal factors such as wintertime respiratory illnesses and asthma flare‑ups

Public health agencies in West Michigan monitor patterns of disease and respond to community concerns. If a true cluster is suspected, they may work with:

  • Epidemiologists (disease pattern specialists)
  • Environmental health experts
  • Occupational health and safety professionals
  • Local healthcare systems (Corewell Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health, Mercy Health)

How Suspected Clusters Are Investigated

When someone reports a possible disease cluster in Grand Rapids, an investigation typically follows a step‑by‑step process.

Step 1: Is the Number of Cases Truly Higher Than Expected?

Investigators first determine whether the number of reported cases is actually greater than expected for:

  • The size and age of the population
  • The type of disease
  • The time period

They look at:

  • Disease patterns (who is sick, where, and when)
  • Probability and statistics (could this be due to chance?)

At this early stage, most reports are resolved and do not require a major, long‑term study.

Step 2: Detailed Health Study (If Needed)

If the concern cannot be explained easily, a more detailed health study may be launched. This often involves:

  • Reviewing medical records and cancer registries
  • Interviewing affected individuals about their work, home, and lifestyle
  • Testing environmental samples (air, water, soil) if appropriate
  • Comparing local rates to other parts of Michigan or the United States

These studies:

  • Involve many specialists
  • Are expensive and time‑consuming
  • May take months or even years to complete

Even with careful research, an exact cause is often never found.

Why Non‑Communicable Disease Clusters Are Hard to Study

Several factors make it challenging to confirm and explain non‑communicable disease clusters:

  • Complex diseases

    • Conditions like cancer, heart disease, and diabetes involve many risk factors (genetics, lifestyle, environment), and medical science does not always know how they interact.

  • Long time between exposure and disease

    • For many cancers, there may be 10–40 years between exposure and diagnosis.
    • People may move between cities, states, or neighborhoods (for example, moving from Detroit to Grand Rapids or vice versa), making it difficult to pinpoint where exposure occurred.

  • Individual variation

    • Each person has unique risk factors (family history, smoking, diet, physical activity, workplace exposures), which can be hard to untangle.

Because of these challenges, many suspected non‑communicable disease clusters in Michigan turn out not to be true clusters when studied closely.

Common Misconceptions About Disease Clusters

1. Many Non‑Communicable Diseases Are Very Common

In the United States:

  • A large portion of men and women will be diagnosed with cancer at some point in their lives.
  • Cardiovascular disease (heart disease and stroke) is a leading cause of death, including in Michigan.

In a community the size of Grand Rapids, it is not unusual to know several people with:

  • Cancer
  • Heart disease
  • Diabetes
  • Chronic lung disease

This can look like a cluster, but often reflects how common these diseases are.

2. Cancer Is More Than One Disease

It is not a disease cluster if people in the same area have different types of cancer. For example:

  • One person has breast cancer
  • Another has prostate cancer
  • Another has lung cancer

These cancers have different causes and risk factors, so they are not usually considered part of a single cluster.

3. The Risk of Disease Increases With Age

Michigan, like much of the U.S., has an aging population. Many non‑communicable diseases become more common as people get older.

Examples:

  • A high rate of heart disease in a Grand Rapids retirement community is expected, not a cluster.
  • More cancers in older adults in Kent County reflect normal aging patterns.

4. Lifestyle and Social Factors Matter

Diseases do not occur evenly across all groups. For example:

  • Lower‑income neighborhoods may have higher smoking rates, which lead to more smoking‑related cancers and heart disease.
  • Limited access to fresh, healthy food or safe places to exercise can increase rates of obesity, diabetes, and hypertension.

These patterns can sometimes look like clusters but are related to social and lifestyle factors, not a single environmental exposure.

5. Clusters Can Happen by Chance

Sometimes, people with the same disease just happen to live or work near each other. This can be due to random chance, especially in a mid‑sized city like Grand Rapids where social networks and workplaces overlap.

When to Suspect a Non‑Communicable Disease Cluster

You might reasonably suspect a cluster if:

  • Several people in a small area develop the same rare disease
  • The disease is unusual for their age group (for example, a rare cancer in young adults)
  • They share a common exposure, such as:
    • Working in the same factory or plant
    • Living near the same industrial site or waste area
    • Drinking from the same private well or non‑municipal water source

If you notice a pattern like this in Grand Rapids or Kent County, it is appropriate to ask questions and seek guidance.

What to Do If You Suspect a Disease Cluster in Grand Rapids

1. Talk With Your Doctor

Start by discussing your concerns with your primary care provider. Local options include:

  • Family medicine and internal medicine practices within Corewell Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health, and Mercy Health
  • Independent clinics and community health centers in Grand Rapids

Your doctor can:

  • Review your personal and family medical history
  • Help determine whether your concerns are medically plausible
  • Provide referrals to specialists if needed (such as oncologists or occupational medicine physicians)

2. Contact Public Health Authorities

For concerns about possible clusters in Grand Rapids or Kent County, you can reach out to:

  • Kent County Health Department – Environmental Health Division
  • Grand Rapids Public Health or city health partners
  • Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) for statewide issues

They can:

  • Review your concerns and available data
  • Explain what is known about disease rates in your area
  • Determine whether further investigation is warranted

3. Workplace‑Related Concerns

If you suspect a cluster related to your workplace:

  • Talk to your health and safety officer, union representative, or employer
  • Ask about:
    • Chemical or dust exposures
    • Ventilation and protective equipment
    • Prior environmental or safety inspections

You can also contact:

  • Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA / “WorkSafe Michigan”) for guidance on workplace safety and reporting concerns

Coping With Worry About Disease Clusters

Even when no cluster is found, the possibility of an environmental cause can create anxiety and distress. This is understandable, especially if someone you love has been diagnosed with a serious illness.

Get Accurate, Trusted Information

  • Discuss your fears with your doctor or a trusted healthcare professional.
  • Use reliable sources such as:
    • Major health systems in Grand Rapids (Corewell Health, Trinity Health, Metro Health, Mercy Health)
    • Kent County Health Department
    • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
    • National Cancer Institute (NCI)

Be Skeptical of Rumors

Health rumors can spread quickly, especially online. For example, email or social media posts have falsely claimed that underarm deodorants cause breast cancer—this is not supported by scientific evidence.

Before believing or sharing health claims:

  • Check with your doctor
  • Look for information from reputable medical or public health organizations

Understand How Personal Experience Affects Perception

When someone close to you is diagnosed with cancer or another serious illness, you may suddenly notice many other cases and feel there must be a link. This is a normal human reaction, but it can:

  • Make random patterns seem meaningful
  • Increase anxiety about disease clusters that may not exist

Talking about these feelings with a healthcare provider, counselor, or support group in Grand Rapids can be helpful.

Focus on What You Can Control: Lifestyle Changes

Regardless of whether a cluster exists, you can reduce your personal risk of many common diseases by making healthy choices. In Michigan’s climate—where long winters can limit outdoor activity—it is especially important to be intentional about health habits.

Helpful steps include:

  • Quit smoking and avoid secondhand smoke
  • Eat a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins
  • Limit saturated fat, added sugars, and processed meats
  • Exercise regularly, aiming for at least 150 minutes of moderate activity per week (indoor options like gyms, community centers, and mall walking can help during cold months)
  • Maintain a healthy weight
  • Limit alcohol use
  • Stay up to date on vaccinations and screenings (such as mammograms, colonoscopies, blood pressure checks, and cholesterol tests)

Local resources in Grand Rapids—such as wellness programs offered by Corewell Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health, and community organizations—can support these lifestyle changes.

Key Points About Disease Clusters in Grand Rapids

  • Reports of possible non‑communicable disease clusters can cause understandable concern in neighborhoods and workplaces across Grand Rapids and Kent County.
  • True clusters are rare; in many cases, the number of cases can be explained by chance, aging, or common lifestyle factors.
  • When non‑communicable disease clusters do occur, they are often linked to long‑term exposure to substances such as chemicals, drugs, or workplace carcinogens (for example, asbestos).
  • Even after a full investigation, an underlying cause is often not found.
  • Determining individual and community risk factors is complex and can take years of study.
  • If you suspect a cluster, talk with your doctor and consider contacting the Kent County Health Department or relevant workplace safety authorities.
  • While you cannot control every environmental exposure, you can significantly reduce your risk of many diseases through healthy lifestyle choices and regular medical care.

If you live or work in the Grand Rapids area and are worried about a possible disease cluster, start by speaking with your healthcare provider and reaching out to local public health resources for clear, evidence‑based guidance.