The Stronger Generations Initiative: Investing in Movement and Health

The Stronger Generations Initiative at MetroHealth seeks to improve health outcomes for everyone in Cleveland and the Rust Belt region by promoting musculoskeletal health, preventive care and community wellness. Despite being a hub for exceptional medical innovation, local neighborhoods face alarming rates of obesity, food insecurity and chronic disease. This white paper outlines the challenges, proposed solutions and strategic opportunities to build healthier generations.

Background

Cleveland has a rich history of medical breakthroughs – from the founding of City Hospital in 1837 to Nobel Prize-winning research on polio. However, these advancements have not resulted in better health for all residents. Key issues include:

• High School Obesity: 49% of Cleveland students are overweight or obese (vs. 32% national average).
• Food Desert: 58% of residents lack access to affordable, nutritious food.
• Infant Mortality: 11.7 per 1,000 births – twice the national average.
• Maternal Mortality: Higher than the rest of Ohio.
• Workplace Injuries: 84,000 workers are injured annually in Ohio manufacturing.

The Problem

While Cleveland is a destination for cutting-edge medicine, local communities struggle with access to preventive care and wellness programs. The current medical model for youth musculoskeletal health is reactive, waiting for injuries rather than preventing them.

Vision

"Because every kid deserves a fair shake."

Stronger Generations at MetroHealth aims to improve health trajectories, reduce chronic disease and injury incidence, enhance productivity and wellness, and create sustainable, community-driven programs.

Strategic Pillars

• Cleveland SPARK Institute: Sports Medicine, Preventive Health & Wellness, Advocacy, Rehabilitation & Kinesiology
• Community Performance Hub: A third space for wellness combining physical therapy, athletic training, nutrition counseling and sports psychology.
• Preventive Health & Wellness Programs: Urban garden plots, nutrition classes, sleep optimization, mindfulness centers and health education series.
• Advocacy & Research: Medical Career Design Scholar CLE Program and SCORE Registry.
• Rehabilitation & Kinesiology: Fall prevention programs, motion analytics, aquatic therapy and decade-specific exercise programs.

Economic Impact

Obesity-related costs in the U.S. exceed $425.5 billion annually. Teens who are obese face higher unemployment rates, lower wages and increased healthcare needs.

Funding Model

Stronger Generations Seed Fund and Endowed Fund for Musculoskeletal Preventive Health will support research initiatives, community listening sessions, pilot programs, KPI measurement and endowed chair positions.

Next Steps

Convene Board of Visitors to set SMART goals, launch pilot programs, measure outcomes, and build partnerships with local leaders and philanthropists. Help us catalyze progress and build stronger generations of Rust Belt kids and families. Together, we can transform Cleveland into a destination for health, not just healthcare.

For more information, contact Greg Sanders, Vice President of Philanthropy, at 440-592-1319 or gsanders@metrohealth.org.