CLEVELAND —When it comes to health issues that affect our neighborhoods, it’s hard to know who to turn to.
But a Cleveland survey is making it easy and giving people the chance to let leaders know what they need.
Ramahn Weaver is serious about his health. He runs every morning and meal preps.
Weaver is a Cleveland native, and he loves his hometown. So, he didn’t hesitate to do a health survey for the city.
He said it took him at most 10 minutes to do.
“The Cleveland Health Survey looks to capture local-level data and info from people to understand what the needs are in the many of Cleveland’s unique neighborhoods,” said Stephanie Pike Moore, research scientist with Case Western Reserve University.
She’ll analyze the data after the survey is completed.
The Cleveland Department of Public Health and CWRU have teamed up to administer the confidential survey.
Some of the things the study looks at are health – including mental health – access to health care, racism as a public health issue, alcohol and drug use and crime.
The survey was run annually from 2009 to 2015 but hasn’t been conducted since then.
Pike Moore said the data can be used to help develop programs, policies and resources.
“It can be used to write grants or support that there’s a need in their community for this work or work they do,” Pike Moore said.
Cleveland residents who are 18 and older can take the survey online or over the phone.
“We put a priority in doing these at a Cleveland-specific level so we can really meet the needs and understand the needs of our city,” said Dr. David Margolius, director of public health for City of Cleveland.
“We really look to get certain sample sizes by neighborhood so we can say what’s going on in Glenville compared to Clark-Fulton,” Margolius said.
Weaver said he wants to make sure his voice is heard when it comes to his community.
“I felt a little bit empowered afterwards,” he said. “It’s like casting a ballot.”
Residents from the neighborhoods of Mount Pleasant and the Collinwood-Nottingham are still needed to take the survey. If you take it, you’ll be entered into a raffle for the chance to win $50. The survey ends Tuesday.
To take part in the survey, call 216-368-273.