Our State of Health
The worst health outcomes are in the urban core—Cleveland and its inner-ring suburbs, such as East Cleveland, Cleveland Heights, and Maple Heights.
According to the 2024 County Health Rankings*, Cuyahoga County is faring worse than the average county in Ohio for Health Outcomes, and worse than the average county in the nation. Even though Cuyahoga County ranks consistently in the top 10 in the state for clinical care (measured by access to and quality of care), this has not made our residents healthier. That’s because the conditions that shape health are spread disproportionately across the county. In turn, that causes significant differences in life expectancy, depending on where someone lives.
The worst health outcomes are in the urban core—Cleveland and its inner-ring suburbs, such as East Cleveland, Cleveland Heights, and Maple Heights. This is where those at the highest risk or burden of these diseases live. High poverty, unsafe streets, a lack of grocery stores, and other community conditions cause barriers to health for most residents. With limited opportunities to be healthy, many people in Cuyahoga County are living sicker and shorter lives.
*2024 County Health Rankings by the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute
In Cuyahoga County we know that:
- There are significant differences in life expectancy, depending on where someone lives. View Life Expectancy Map.
- Chronic diseases disproportionally impact populations in our urban core and are the leading causes of death and disability.
- Almost a quarter of young children in Cuyahoga County are affected by overweight or obesity.
