Unity

60.8% Residents identifying alcohol/substance abuse as a major community health issue

67%

of white Americans have only white friends in their core social circle, and over 90% of their close friends are white.

54%

Overdose-related ER patients from Akron

>2,600

fatalities through accidental overdoses in 2013-2024

61.8%

Residents identifying mental-health conditions as a major community health issue

15.6

per 100,000 in 2019-2023 an increase from 11.9 per 100,000 in 2009-2013.

12.8

per 100,000 in 2019-2023 a increase in suicide rate among Black residents from 4.4 per 100,000 in 2009-2013

Summit County formally declared racism a public health crisis in 2020, and the county’s assessment was released in 2021.
The county report and follow-up coverage said Summit County should create an equity office and improve data collection to better track equity outcomes.
Akron Community Foundation’s 2025 grant round showed direct funding for anti-racism, race dialogue, DEI training, and cultural competency work across local nonprofits.
Leadership Akron’s DEI page specifically points leaders toward local organizations such as the Urban League, Project Ujima, and NAACP as part of racial equity action.

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