Your Voice, Your Health: What We Heard from Cass County

What does health look like in Cass County? According to the 2025 Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA), it looks like neighbors stepping up, stories being shared, and a community ready for change.

Conducted by Ascension Borgess-Lee Hospital with support from the Van Buren/Cass District Health Department, the CHNA gathered real input from Cass County residents—people just like you—about what’s working and what’s missing when it comes to staying healthy.

Here’s what we heard loud and clear:

• Mental Health Matters Here
  Too many people in our community are struggling to find support for anxiety, depression, and other mental health challenges. Services are too far away or too hard to access. And the stigma? It’s still a barrier.
• Chronic Conditions Are Holding Us Back
  Heart disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes are all too common here—and we need better ways to prevent, manage, and treat them. From nutrition to screenings, Cass County needs stronger support.
• Care Close to Home Is Hard to Find
  Whether it’s a routine check-up or a specialist referral, getting timely care shouldn’t mean long drives or long waits. But for many in Cass County, it still does.

These aren’t just statistics—they’re reflections of real people with real challenges. The good news? We’re listening. And we’re ready to take action.

At Van Buren/Cass District Health Department, we believe your health is no small matter. This assessment helps us focus our work and advocate for the services our communities need most.

Read the full CHNA report here: Ascension-Borgess 2025 CHNA Report

Let’s keep this conversation going—your voice helps shape our next steps.