Eliminating health disparities in Connecticut: You can help us achieve true and sustainable health equity.

“Reducing health disparities is core to our mission at Access Health CT. We can only achieve that goal for all people in Connecticut by addressing social determinants of health, particularly those among communities of color. Join us in our mission-driven goal of health equity for all Connecticut residents, reaching across city lines, one neighborhood at a time.”

James Michel
Chief Executive Officer

Access Health CT is playing a central role in achieving this goal.

Health disparities are health differences that are closely linked with social, economic, and/or environmental disadvantage. They adversely affect people based on a variety of factors including race, ethnicity, religion, gender, socioeconomic status, disability, and geographic location, among many others.

Our mission is to increase the number of Connecticut residents who are insured, lower their costs, promote health, and eliminate health inequalities. Since 2013, Access Health CT (AHCT) has helped more than one million individuals and small businesses get health insurance, and we’ve helped cut Connecticut’s uninsured rate in half. This is great progress, but more must be done to reduce health disparities that persist in our state.

Are health disparities really a problem in Connecticut?

The answer is a resounding “YES.” Despite our state’s high ranking in wealth and health, there are substantial disparities in the health status of — and in the healthcare delivered to — lower-income Connecticut residents, particularly among people of color.

One stark example is the disparity in life expectancy across Connecticut towns. In a neighborhood of Westport that is 91% White, the life expectancy is 89.1 years. In a neighborhood of northeast Hartford that is 94% Black and Hispanic, the life expectancy is just 68.9 years. To put this in perspective, explore the infographic that takes you on a hypothetical journey with Marcus and Tyler — two people who face vastly different circumstances and life expectancies, despite being born just miles apart.

See for yourself.

Connecticut has one of the country’s highest levels of income inequality — a key metric related to health disparities. The maps below illustrate how other key metrics are manifested across our state’s neighborhoods. Use the buttons to explore.

AHCT is committed to correcting health disparities.

For years, AHCT has laid the groundwork for efforts to reduce health disparities in Connecticut. Through our work with some of the state’s most vulnerable populations, communities, and geographies, we’ve also developed keen insights into the reasons why health disparities exist. Our work with more than 1600 community partners helps make all of this possible.

Event Calendar

Want to learn more about health disparities in Connecticut?

These resources will help you gain a greater understanding of the problem, what’s being done to correct it, and how you can help.

To learn more about health disparities, download Health Disparities and Social Determinants of Health in Connecticut. Not enough time to read the full health disparities report? Download the executive summary.

To learn more about the uninsured in Connecticut, download Understanding underlying drivers, barriers and needs of the uninsured in Connecticut.

Learn how you can help

To learn more about our Health Equity efforts and how you can help, please complete the form below.

Latest from the blog