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 2025 County Health Rankings*, Cuyahoga County is performing slightly worse than the average county in Ohio and the nation in terms of health outcomes. Although Cuyahoga County consistently ranks in the top 10 in the state for clinical care, as measured by access to and quality of care, this has not led to healthier residents. That’s because the conditions that shape health are spread disproportionately across the County. This results in significant differences in life expectancy, depending on where one 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—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 create barriers to health for most residents. With limited opportunities to be healthy, many people in Cuyahoga County are living sicker and shorter lives.
*2025 County Health Rankings by the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute
In Cuyahoga County we know that:
- There are great differences in life expectancy depending on where someone lives. View Life Expectancy Map.
- Chronic diseases impact populations in our urban core more than suburban communities, and they are the leading causes of death and disability.
- Almost a quarter of young children in Cuyahoga County are affected by overweight or obesity.
