Data Highlights Health Care Disparities in Hartford Region

When community members from Greater Hartford gathered to delve into healthcare access, equity, and innovation in Connecticut this week in a program offered by the MetroHartford Alliance and the Connecticut health Council, the data and information offered to provide the basis for the conversation pointed out the stark disparities that characterize the region.

 Many were highlighted in the opening presentation earlier this week by Eric Harrison, President and CEO of United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut, who described the State of Healthcare Access in the Greater Hartford region, particularly in the context of the pandemic and its impact during the past three years.

Harrison noted that of 46,333 calls received from the Hartford Region by United Way 211 in the last year, 34% were for health-related support, including

•   65% were for mental health;

•   19% were for health care; and,

•   16% were food-related

Also highlighted were findings of the 2022 Community Health Assessment, including health care concerns and mental health concerns that were most prevalent.  Leading health care concerns were:

•   Cost of services without health insurance;

•   Lack of broadband access for telehealth;

•   Medical racism and discrimination;

•   Nursing shortages reducing quality of care;

•   COVID regulations reducing the Intellectual or Developmental Disability (IDD) community’s ability to advocate for themselves; and,

•   Lack of community access – residents would like providers to meet them where they live and work.

The most frequently mentioned concerns regarding mental health were:

• Frequent exposure to violence and harm increasing mental health challenges;

• Lack of bilingual care;

• Lack of culturally competent care; and,

• Stigmas around therapy and utilizing mental health services.

Numerous disparities – comparing Hartford’s population characteristics with Connecticut’s – also lead to differences in health challenges.  Examples cited were that diabetes is more common among older adults than younger ones, yet middle-aged Black adults in Connecticut have higher diabetes rates than White seniors; chronic health conditions impacted by substandard housing include a higher risk for lead poisoning among children living in houses built before 1960; and chronic health conditions that are impacted by a lack of access to nutritious food include obesity.

The ensuing panel discussion highlighted some of the ongoing challenges, and some of the lessons learned during COVID that actually increased access to health care providers amongst those traditionally less likely to receive care.

The Connecticut Health Council (CHC) is a group of health sector leaders who work to advance the development of businesses, initiatives, and technology that improve healthcare and wellness both nationally and in the State. The CHC also “provides a forum for a robust network of experts, professionals, and other parties interested in promoting Connecticut as a center of health excellence and a primary driver of economic and employment growth in our State.” 

The focus of this week’s event, held at the Society Room in downtown Hartford, was “Healthcare Access, Equity, and Innovation in Connecticut.”  Moderating the conversation was Andrea Barton Reeves, state Commissioner of the Department of Social Services.