Title : Health inequities in Connecticut: Racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic disparities in chronic disease and COVID-19 outcomes
Abstract:
This literature review examines racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic health disparities in Connecticut through an analysis of 30 peer-reviewed studies and state reports published between 2008 and 2025. Despite strong statewide healthcare quality, Black and Hispanic residents particularly in New Haven, Hartford, and Bridgeport face significantly higher rates of hospitalization and mortality from COVID-19, heart failure, diabetes, and asthma, with diabetes prevalence rising from 8% to 11% annually. Younger Black adults (18-35) face disproportionate risks for preventable hospitalizations, reflecting intergenerational gaps in care access. High-poverty urban areas carry the greatest disease burden, often overlapping with food deserts and environmental hazards, while underrepresentation of minority groups in surveillance systems has further limited effective public health responses. These disparities stem from structural racism, provider bias, limited preventive care, and social determinants such as food and housing insecurity. Addressing them requires a shift from individual interventions to systemic, equity-driven strategies including the development of bilingual social media initiatives to reach diverse communities, culturally tailored educational materials such as a youth public health children's book, stronger community partnerships, and equitable resource distribution to close these long-standing gaps.
