The view from the Idea Center

An interesting report out today from the  Center for Community Solutions shows where we live in Ohio plays a large role in how long we'll be around.
 
The numbers in some cases confirm what’s been long believed: being poor, being black and other socioeconomic and demographic factors influence our health and have impact on lifespan . What perhaps we didn't realize is how big that impact is.
 
The stats, as ideastream's Lisa Ryan reported, found  life expectancy is significantly shorter in places where a higher percentage of the population is African American. Residents of Cleveland’s Buckeye neighborhood, for instance, have a life expectancy 23 years shorter than residents of neighboring Shaker Heights.
 
But  poverty plays an even larger factor than race.
 
Increased poverty rates, mainly in the urban cores and the rural Appalachian parts of the state were similar, with the lowest life expectancies in Ohio found in parts of Columbus and Dayton. But the third lowest life expectancy — 61.6 years — is in part of Steubenville. The Belmont County seat is home to about 18,000 residents, yet its numbers look like those in the state capital’s poorest sections.
 
As for where to find the highest life expectancy in the state, perhaps we should all look to move to central Summit County, where Stow took the honors with 89.2 years.

After studying this report, will the knowledge gained allow leaders and activists to make changes that elevate the poorer regions — perhaps even over Ohioans’ lifetimes?
 
Also, on the WCPN airwaves we’re temporarily suspending our December fundraising campaign today to air the impeachment proceedings, but you can always  give online before you  listen live.

I'm back on the radio tomorrow for your early news,
Rick Jackson

Need to KnOH

Headlines from Northeast Ohio and Beyond 
 

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• Caroll Spinney, Who Played Big Bird And Oscar On 'Sesame Street,' Dies At 85
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Your ideas

Caroll Spinney, the man behind 'Sesame Street's' Big Bird and Oscar the Grouch, died Sunday at the age of 85. What lessons did you or your child learn from Big Bird? Call us at  (216) 916-6476, comment on our  Facebook page or join the conversation in  Public Square! We'll feature some of your thoughts and comments here in Noon(ish) and on Morning Edition.