AGP Executive Report

Emerging Drug Threat: Ohio health officials warn that highly potent synthetic opioid cychlorphine has been reported in Cleveland and Columbus. It can be difficult to detect, and no cases have been confirmed in Athens County. Youth Mental Health: Akron Children’s has joined an international effort to improve suicide screening, while reviewing its own protocols and planning expanded text-based support for young patients. Lead Safety: Cleveland is considering changes to its lead-safe rental rules, aiming to focus inspections on high-risk properties after compliance stalled. Local Care: HealthSource and UC Health are partnering on a $60 million medical office in Clermont County. Measles: Ohio cases have surged well above last year’s total, with Wayne County now leading the state; officials have also confirmed a case in Pike County.

Measles Alert: Pike County confirmed a case as Ohio’s total climbed above 230—more than five times last year’s count. Health officials urge vaccination as cases continue to spread. Local Care: HealthSource and UC Health are partnering on a $60 million medical office in Clermont County, expanding care options close to home. Seasonal Health: Flu season is picking up across Ohio, and doctors recommend getting vaccinated. Early Childhood: Ohio is set to receive more than $13 million in federal funding for childhood development programs. Overdose Prevention: Ohio overdose deaths have fallen by more than half since 2020, though continued prevention and treatment remain critical.

Measles: Ohio’s outbreak has topped 230 cases—about five times last year’s total—with Geauga County leading at 50. Pike County has also confirmed a case; health officials urge anyone with symptoms to avoid others and call a provider. Air Quality: Cleveland’s proposed stricter pollution rules remain stalled, despite the city’s high asthma rates, as council members weigh industry concerns. Flu Prevention: Flu season is picking up across Ohio, and doctors are urging residents to get vaccinated; updated options are also available for COVID-19 and RSV. Behavioral Health: A new crisis center in an Ohio county treated 71 people in its first week, an early sign of demand for local support.

Measles: Ohio has reported 231 cases this year—more than five times the 2025 total—with Medina County reporting its first case. Health experts warn of serious complications and urge vaccination. Mental Health Care: A new Ohio county crisis center treated 71 patients in its first week, offering a local option for people in urgent need. Injury Prevention: Ohio lawmakers are weighing e-bike and scooter rules, including helmet requirements and a minimum riding age, as hospitals report more injuries among young riders. Care Access: New Appalachian children’s health clinics are complete, and Pomerene Hospital has been selected for federal rural-health funding. Doctors are also urging Ohioans to get flu shots as the season picks up.

Seasonal Prevention: Flu activity is picking up across Ohio, and doctors are urging residents to get vaccinated. Measles cases are also rising, with reports in Mercer and Trumbull counties and two cases in Medina County. Overdose Response: Ohio’s overdose death rate has fallen by more than half since 2020, a significant improvement as communities continue to confront substance use. Care Close to Home: UC Health and HealthSource of Ohio plan to expand access with a new Batavia facility. Maternal Health: Ohio is putting $13.5 million toward maternal home visits, which connect families with support during pregnancy and early parenthood.

Flu Prevention: Flu cases are rising across Ohio. Hamilton County doctors urge vaccination before Halloween so protection builds ahead of Thanksgiving; the flu and updated COVID vaccines can be given together. Measles: Ashtabula County has 41 reported cases, with cases also rising in Mercer and Trumbull counties; Medina County reported two. Greater Cincinnati: The Joe Burrow Foundation says it awarded more than $1 million in grants and delivered over 1,000 holiday meals in 2025, supporting food access and youth mental health in Greater Cincinnati and Southeast Ohio. Overdose Prevention: Ohio overdose deaths have fallen more than 50% since 2020, while health officials elsewhere warn that the potent synthetic opioid cychlorphine has entered the U.S. drug supply. Care Access: UC Health and HealthSource of Ohio aim to expand care with a planned facility in Batavia.

Measles: Cases are climbing across Ohio, including 41 reported in Ashtabula County and new cases in Pike, Medina, Mercer and Trumbull counties. The U.S. total has topped 4,000. Overdose Recovery: Ohio overdose death rates have fallen by more than 50% since 2020, according to a new report. Behavioral Health: Four County ADAMhs received $211,000 in grants, including funding for supported employment and disaster-response training. Cincinnati Care: UC Health and Cincinnati Children’s have opened an adult celiac disease center, expanding specialized care in the region. Health Investment: Bayer plans a $2.2 billion pharmaceutical manufacturing site in New Albany, with construction expected to start in 2027.

Measles: Ohio’s count has reached 231, with a new case in Trumbull County; Ashtabula County reports 41. Health officials urge residents to get vaccinated. Flu Prevention: ONU HealthWise Pharmacy will offer flu shots at Lima’s West Ohio Food Bank on Oct. 12, including high-dose vaccines for people 65 and older. Environmental Health: A Canfield company must assess human health risks after a 2024 chemical spill and is studying cleanup options. In St. Bernard, a waste facility is replacing faulty tanks and making other changes before reopening after odor complaints. Ohio Health Industry: Bayer plans a $2.2 billion pharmaceutical manufacturing site in New Albany. Research: Nationwide Children’s Hospital researchers helped map differences in immune-system aging, a step toward identifying future disease risks.

Measles Watch: Ashtabula County’s tally has risen to 41 cases, while a Findlay case has prompted health officials to monitor urgent-care and ER visitors for symptoms through Oct. 20. West Nile: Ashtabula officials detected the virus in another mosquito sample; no human cases have been confirmed there. Parkinson’s Research: A University of Cincinnati-led study found that people with Parkinson’s who were more physically active had slower declines in movement and thinking over time. Local Health Access: Dayton community advocates are urging city leaders to create a board to guide plans for a public hospital, nearly a year after voters approved a levy to help launch the effort. Behavioral Health: A northwest Ohio board received a $180,000 grant for supported employment services for people with substance-use challenges.

Measles Watch: Findlay’s confirmed case has prompted symptom monitoring for urgent-care and ER visitors through Oct. 20, as health officials conduct contact tracing. Prescription Costs: A U.S. customs rule taking effect Oct. 22 could disrupt Americans’ access to lower-cost medicines from Canada. Toledo resident Susan Hooper says she relies on two Canadian prescriptions. Parkinson’s Research: A study following nearly 300 people in the Cincinnati Cohort found that higher physical activity was associated with slower declines in thinking and movement. Everyday Wellness: Eligible Northeast Ohio health-plan members can now use NationsBenefits cards at participating Acme Fresh Market stores for approved groceries and over-the-counter health products. Recovery Support: Izzy’s House has expanded sober-living options in Lima, with homes for men, women and couples also available in Dayton and Cincinnati. Ohio Health Investment: Bayer plans a $2.2 billion pharmaceutical manufacturing plant in New Albany, a major addition to the state’s health-care manufacturing sector.

Maternal Health: Ohio officials are touting $13.5 million in new funding for maternal home visits, aimed at supporting families and improving care. Greater Cincinnati Access: UC Health and HealthSource of Ohio plan to expand care with a new Batavia facility, bringing services to Clermont County. Food and Wellness: Farmers markets are helping fill grocery gaps; a 2025 report classified 67 Ohio counties as food deserts. Prevention: Jefferson County’s health commissioner is urging flu vaccination and scheduling clinics after local flu shots fell to 332 last year, from 539 in 2024. Medical Advances: Ohio State Wexner announced smaller-incision spine surgery and a new implant for thumb arthritis, while also earning recognition for supporting healthcare workers’ well-being.

Care Access: UC Health and HealthSource of Ohio aim to expand care in Batavia. Separately, Ohio’s Appalachian Children’s Health Initiative has delivered more than $64 million in services and opened 29 clinics, many based in schools. Caregiver Wellness: UC physician Natalie Kreitzer received a $2.5 million NIH grant to test a remote support program for family caregivers of people with serious traumatic brain injuries. Public Health: Measles continues to spread, with Ohio’s outbreak reaching 206 cases; a newly reported Findlay case prompted contact tracing. Hamilton County Public Health also confirmed its first West Nile case of 2026 in Symmes Township. Family Support: Carroll County’s health district has taken over WIC services, offering eligible families food assistance, nutrition education and breastfeeding support. Cancer Care: University Hospitals has expanded its Orange cancer center, adding infusion capacity and space intended to help patients get care sooner.

Cancer Care & Prevention: A UC College of Medicine researcher, Natalie Kreitzer, won a 5-year, $2.5M NIH R01 to test CG-Well, a web/phone caregiver wellness program for families supporting people with moderate-to-severe traumatic brain injury. Screening Focus: The NCCN held a two-day summit on expanding cancer prevention and screening, highlighting patient-friendly screening guides and equity-focused policy ideas. Mental Health in the Community: LifeAct’s Move for Mental Health 5K/1-mile walk is set for Oct. 11 in Cleveland to fund school-based anxiety, depression, and suicide prevention education. Local Health Access: Riverain Technologies will offer its FDA-cleared ClearRead Chest AI through RapidAI’s enterprise platform, aiming to plug into existing hospital imaging and reporting workflows. Public Health & Safety: Ohio’s new recreational marijuana rules took effect Monday, tightening limits on flower, vapes, edibles, and THC potency. Health Systems & Costs: Columbus teachers are pushing back on rising district health insurance costs, warning it could reduce take-home pay. Health Equity & Infrastructure: A new behavioral health levy renewal in Washington County would fund prevention and crisis/treatment services, with no levy money going to administration.

Healthcare & Research Investment: Reuters reports global drugmakers including Eli Lilly, Pfizer, AstraZeneca and Roche are committing billions to expand U.S. manufacturing and R&D, aiming to strengthen supply chains as trade rules shift. Local Health Access: Lawmakers are urging CMS to reconsider a proposed Medicare rule that would limit reimbursement for remote health monitoring to in-house staff—arguing it could cut care for rural seniors. Pediatric Care Spotlight: U.S. News ranked University Hospitals Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital among the nation’s Best Children’s Hospitals in multiple specialties. Public Health Watch: Pennsylvania’s measles outbreak topped 1,000 cases, while New York declared a disaster emergency as cases rise in rural areas. Food & Nutrition Safety: The FDA issued a recall for more than 122,000 cases of Gatorade over undeclared food dyes. Community Wellness & Prevention: Planned Parenthood launched menopause care services in Cincinnati and Dayton. Ohio Health Workforce: Washington State College of Ohio earned nursing accreditation for its ADN and RN-to-BSN programs. Local Business Closures: Oprah-backed True Food Kitchen filed for Chapter 11 and abruptly closed 12 restaurants, with 34 locations still operating.

Food & Drink Safety: PepsiCo is recalling 122,021 cases of 28-ounce Gatorade in 37 states, including Ohio, after FDA flagged undeclared artificial yellow dyes (Yellow No. 5/6) on four flavors; consumers are urged to check lot codes and best-by dates. Public Health: Measles continues to surge nationally, with Pennsylvania topping 1,000 cases and New York declaring a disaster emergency to expand who can give MMR shots and order testing—an Ohio-relevant reminder to verify vaccination status. Local Health & Care: agilon health (based in Westerville) set its Q3 2026 earnings release for Nov. 4, a signal for ongoing shifts in value-based care partnerships. Community & Wellness Access: Ohio’s minimum wage rises to $11.40 in 2027, a cost-of-living pressure point that affects health access for low-wage workers. Workplace Culture: Parkview Health earned Great Place to Work certification, highlighting job satisfaction and retention as part of care quality. Elections & Health Policy Context: Early voting is underway in Ohio for the Nov. 3 election, with a proposed voter-ID amendment on the ballot.

Local Health Access: Primary Health Solutions broke ground on an Eaton Community Health Center to expand primary, dental, and behavioral health services in Preble County, aiming to open by early summer 2027. Public Health—Vaccines: Ohio doctors backed childhood vaccines amid a wider political split as measles cases surge nationally; Pennsylvania reported more than 1,000 cases, the biggest outbreak in decades. Infectious Disease—Mosquitoes: Hamilton County confirmed its first human West Nile virus case this year after mosquito surveillance. Food & Drug Safety: PepsiCo recalled about 122,000 cases of select 28-ounce Gatorade flavors sold in 37 states, including Ohio, due to undeclared Yellow 5/Yellow 6 dyes. Major Ohio Pharma Investment: Bayer announced a $2.2 billion modular manufacturing campus in New Albany, projecting about 600 permanent jobs plus 1,500 construction jobs. Cincinnati Courts: Jury selection began in the Rodney Hinton Jr. murder trial tied to the killing of Hamilton County Sheriff’s Deputy Larry Henderson. Safety & Community: Euclid is considering adding 11 more blue-light safety cameras, raising program costs toward ~$870,500.