CLEVELAND, Ohio — Cleveland residents are 50% more likely to skip necessary medical care because of costs, even if they have health insurance, according to the 2025 Cleveland Health Survey Overall Prevalence Report, a comprehensive assessment of the health and well-being of Cleveland residents released Monday.
In addition, Cleveland residents were 2-3 times more likely to have unmet food, housing, and transportation needs, as compared to the state and nation, the report found.
The Cleveland Health Survey looked at general health, chronic health conditions, cancer screenings, social determinants of health, tobacco and alcohol use, and other factors that influence wellness. It helps community leaders understand local health trends and guide community health initiatives, the city said in a news release.
“This survey serves as a valuable resource for policy makers, health care providers, and community organizations to identify key health concerns and disparities in Cleveland,” said Dr. David Margolius, director of the Cleveland Department of Public Health.
“By leveraging these insights, we can develop targeted interventions to improve health outcomes and address critical issues such as mental health, chronic diseases, and true determinants of health,” Margolius said.
The city health survey was based on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, the nation’s premier health survey that gathers data from about 400,000 Americans annually.
Cleveland’s health report was produced by the Cleveland Department of Public Health and Case Western Reserve University’s Department of Prevention Research Center for Healthy Neighborhoods, the city said.
The survey also includes state and national comparisons, using data from the Ohio Department of Health, the CDC and the 2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, the city said.
Randomly selected Cleveland households receiving mailed invitations to participate between November and January, the city said. About 1,400 Cleveland adults participated in this survey both online and by phone.
Here are some highlights from the survey; Ohio data is from 2023:
- General health status (rated health as good or better): Cleveland 70.6%; Ohio 79.9%
- High cholesterol: Cleveland 44.5%; Ohio 37.4%
- Diabetes: Cleveland 15.8%; Ohio 13.2%
- Asthma: Cleveland 23.1%; Ohio 15.8%
- Heavy alcohol use: Cleveland 13.6%; Ohio 9.5%
- Mental Health (had 14 or more days of poor mental health in the past 30 days): Cleveland 22%; Ohio 17.1%
Julie Washington covers healthcare for cleveland.com. Read previous stories at this link.
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