Document Type
Research Report
Summary Description
The "Towards Health Equity in Connecticut" report from DataHaven highlights the impact of social inequality on health disparities, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. It reveals that Black, Latino, and Indigenous communities experience higher infection rates and severe complications. Socioeconomic conditions like education, income, housing, and healthcare access significantly influence health outcomes, with structural racism and historical inequities being key factors.
In New Haven, disparities are stark, with a significant gap in life expectancy within the city, and the pandemic has further highlighted these inequities. The report suggests that addressing these social determinants is essential for improving overall health equity in Connecticut.
Abstract
In January 2020, the first confirmed case of COVID-19 was reported in the United States, with Connecticut recording its first case by March 8. As of the time of writing, tens of thousands of Connecticut residents have tested positive for the illness, and thousands have died, with the true number of affected individuals likely being much higher. Early data indicate that Black, Latino, and Indigenous communities are experiencing disproportionately higher rates of infection and serious complications. In Connecticut, Black and Latino individuals have died at higher age-adjusted rates than white individuals, and nursing home residents account for more than half of all deaths in the state.
The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed and exacerbated existing social inequities. Even before the pandemic, communities of color faced disproportionately worse health outcomes and increased mortality due to decades of structural inequality. The pandemic has further highlighted these disparities. Although most of the data in this report were collected before the pandemic, it is essential to acknowledge how COVID-19 has amplified the extent to which health inequity is driven by social inequity. This report provides context for understanding how social forces contributing to disparate health outcomes also influence how communities are affected by this unprecedented public health emergency.
Category Tags
Disease; Education; Healthcare; Housing; Food, Nutrition, and Agriculture; Racial Justice and Racism; Harm Reduction and Substance Use; Social Services
New Haven Neighborhood
New Haven (All)
Recommended Citation
Davila, Kelly; Abraham, Mark; and Seaberry, Camille, "Towards Health Equity in Connecticut: The Role of Social Inequality and the Impact of COVID-19" (2020). Reports. 14.
https://elischolar.library.yale.edu/nhperl_reports/14