What's the problem?

Environments that support a healthy diet and physical activity are not spread equally throughout Cuyahoga County .

In Cuyahoga County, there is an unfair burden of poor health among our low-income, under-resourced communities, specifically communities of color, youth, and older adults, largely due to patterns of sprawl and population shifts. Over the past few decades, many people have moved away from the city and inner-ring suburbs, known as the urban core. As people have moved away from these places, many of the businesses and services once available to support healthy eating and active living moved as well. Residents who remain in the urban core often find themselves living without grocery stores, green spaces, and other places to exercise safely. But these issues are not limited to urban areas; other impoverished areas across the county also lack of sidewalks, bike lanes, parks, and healthy food retail options.

Why does it matter?

Everyone in Cuyahoga County deserves equitable access to fresh food resources and safe places to be active.

Where people live should not dictate their ability to eat healthy or to be physically active. Consuming healthy foods and increasing physical activity are essential for good health. A focus on nutrition and physical activity has the potential to impact all residents in Cuyahoga County, especially those who currently face barriers to being healthy.

What are we doing about it?

HIP-Cuyahoga is creating opportunities for healthy eating and active living across Cuyahoga County 

Healthy Eating Tips

Key Accomplishments:

HEAL partners worked to pass a healthy Farm Bill in 2018. Click here for more information.

More than 123,000 residents have greater access to healthier food options in their neighborhoods because 22 corner stores have added fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grain bread and pastas, low-fat dairy products and other healthy items through the Good Food Here program.

Through the establishment of shared use agreements with neighborhood facilities, more than 108,500 residents living within a half mile may gain greater access to physical activity and educational opportunities.

More than 550 residents with high blood pressure have received healthy eating and chronic disease management education and resources through the produce prescription (PRx) for hypertension program

Since 2007, HIP-Cuyahoga partners have received funding through several rounds of funding through the Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health (REACH) grant awards to address inequities and reduce the burden of chronic disease in Cuyahoga County. Visit the Cuyahoga County REACH page to learn more.