Key Moments
Exploratory
The Connecticut Health Foundation completed a commissioned landscape analysis related to health equity efforts in Connecticut.
Established
HES established, with Connecticut Legal Services as its fiscal sponsor.
PA 17-74
Launched our first Listening Sessions & helped passed PA 17-74 which defined the CHW profession and scope of work
R.E.L.
Launched our first campaign for race, ethnicity, & language data (R.E.L)
The state of Connecticut declared Racism a Public Health Crisis, defined "doula" in statute, & required granular collection of race, ethnicity, & language data (R.E.L)
Hired our second Executive Director and initiated a five-year strategic plan
Highlights
Declaring Racism A Public Health Crisis in Connecticut
One of the greatest barriers to achieving health equity is the historical and contemporary relationship between racism and health. Declaring Racism a Public Health Crisis offers a clear path to intentionally acknowledging and addressing disparities and inequities in our state.
In 2020, we began a petition demanding an intentional anti-racist focus in policymaking in the state of Connecticut. To date, 22 towns/ cities, the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation, and the the state of Connecticut have passed resolutions.
To view the summary report, click here.
COVID-19 & Health Equity
The COVID-19 Pandemic amplified the stark health disparities faced by people of color in Connecticut. In 2020, we embarked on a statewide outreach effort aimed to center health equity in Connecticut’s COVID-19 response and recovery efforts.
Partnering with state, local, and federal partners we initiated several campaigns to reduce the burden of the COVID-19 pandemic on communities of color. We went door-to-door, partnered with beauty salons and barbershops across the state to host vaccination clinics, hosted webinars and expert panel events to combat misinformation on the COVID-19 vaccine, tabled at community events, and held social media campaigns highlighting the latest news and updates regarding the pandemic.
