CLEVELAND, Ohio – Cuyahoga County’s health is below average compared to others U.S. and Ohio counties, including many at the regional level, according to the 2024 National Health Scoreboard and County Roadmaps Report.
Four surrounding counties — Lake, Medina, Portage and Geauga — scored above average health scores, according to the report. And Summit County’s overall health scores and health factor data closely match those of average counties in Ohio and the nation.
The overall health of Ashtabula County, like Cuyahoga, is worse than average, and Lorain County had mixed results on individual measures.
Regional life expectancy ranged from 80 in Geauga County to 74.2 in Ashtabula County, with Cuyahoga coming in at 75.7, the report said.
Elsewhere in Ohio, counties that are home to Dayton (Montgomery), Toledo (Lucas) and Youngstown (Mahoning) fell below state and national county averages for overall health indicators.
Health indicators in Hamilton (Cincinnati) and Franklin (Columbus) counties are about equal to the Ohio and national averages.
The annual report, compiled by the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute, offers county health data and context for the data in each county health snapshot.
The The County Health Report scores counties using two methods:
- Health outcomes, measuring life expectancy and quality of life. These measures include how people rate their own health, life expectancy, prevalence of diabetes, days with poor mental health and other factors.
- Health factors, including health behaviors, clinical care, social and economic factors, and the physical environment. These factors include the number of drunk driving deaths, drug overdoses, food insecurity and the ratio of primary care physicians to residents.
Overall, health outcomes in Lorain County are better than the Ohio county and national averages. But when looking at overall health factors, Lorain County is worse than the average counties in Ohio and the nation.
Data for the 2024 National Findings Report on County Health Rankings and Roadmaps are drawn from a variety of federal and other sources, including the US Census Bureau, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the National Center for Health Statistics, and the State Health Index. democracy, which measures the quality of democratic institutions in countries.
Here is the data for the districts:
Ashtabula County
Health outcomes:
- Poor or good health: 21%
- Life expectancy: 74.2
- Prevalence of diabetes: 12% (among those 20 and older)
- Days with poor mental health: 6.5 (in the last 30 days)
Health factors:
- Drink-driving deaths: 35% (share of drink-driving deaths, 2017-21)
- Food insecurity: 15% (considered lack of adequate access to food)
- Drug overdose deaths: 40
- Primary care doctors: 3,480 doctors for every resident
Cuyahoga County
Health outcomes:
- Poor or good health: 18%
- Life expectancy: 75.7.
- Prevalence of diabetes: 12%,
- Days with poor mental health: 5.8
Health factors:
- Drunk driving fatalities: 41%
- Food insecurity: 13%
- Drug overdose deaths: 43
- Primary care doctors: 900 doctors for every resident
Geauga County
Health outcomes:
- Poor or good health: 13%
- Lifespan: 80
- Prevalence of diabetes: 9%
- Days with poor mental health: 5.1
Health factors:
- Drunk driving fatalities: 26%
- Food insecurity: 8%
- Drug overdose deaths: 17
- Primary care doctors: 1450 doctors for every resident
Lake County
Health outcomes:
- Poor or good health: 14%
- Life expectancy: 77.5
- Prevalence of diabetes: 9%
- Days with poor mental health: 5.2
Health factors:
- Drunk driving fatalities: 60%
- Food insecurity: 10%
- Drug overdose deaths: 37
- Primary care: 2,420 doctors for every resident
Lorain County
Health outcomes:
- Poor or fair health: 17%;
- Life expectancy: 76.6
- Diabetes: 11%
- Days with poor mental health: 5.2
Health factors:
- Drunk driving fatalities: 38%
- Food insecurity: 12%
- Drug overdose deaths: 44
- Primary care doctors: 1,940 doctors for every resident
Medina County
Health outcomes:
- Poor or good health: 12%
- Life expectancy: 79.3
- Diabetes: 9%
- Days with poor mental health: 5.3
Health factors:
- Drunk driving fatalities: 24%
- Food insecurity: 8%
- Drug overdose deaths: 18
- Primary care doctors: 1,330 doctors for every resident
Portage County
Health outcomes:
- Poor or good health: 15%
- Life expectancy: 77
- Prevalence of diabetes: 10%
- Days with poor mental health: 5.1
Health factors:
- Drunk driving fatalities: 31%
- Food insecurity: 11%
- Drug overdose deaths: 25
- Primary care doctors: 2,540 doctors for every resident
Summit County
Health outcomes:
- Poor or good health: 17%
- Life expectancy: 75.7
- Diabetes: 10%
- Days with poor mental health: 5.6
Health factors:
- Drunk driving fatalities: 36%
- Food insecurity: 11%
- Drug overdose deaths: 40
- Primary care doctors: 1020 doctors for every resident
In the whole country
Health outcomes:
- Poor or good health: 16%
- Life expectancy: 75.6
- Prevalence of diabetes: 11%
- Days with poor mental health: 5.5
Health factors:
- Drunk driving fatalities: 32%
- Food insecurity: 12%
- Drug overdose deaths: 42
- Primary care physicians: 1,330 physicians for every Ohioan
Julie Washington covers health care for cleveland.com. Read it previous stories of this relationship.