Health Equity

Join us on the journey to eliminate health disparities in Connecticut. Together, we can 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 on a mission to end health disparities

Health disparities are preventable differences that make some groups of people less healthy than others. When people can’t find good health care or get sick because of where they live, how much money they make, how much education they have or their race or ethnicity, we call that a health disparity. These unfair gaps affect the whole community.

Access Health CT is working to make our state healthier by getting more people enrolled in health and dental insurance. We’re also trying to lower how much they have to pay to see a doctor or dentist. We want them to have what they need to stay healthy. Since 2013, we’ve helped to cut the number of people in Connecticut without insurance in half. Thanks to our work, more than a million people, families and small businesses were able to get health and dental insurance through us.

We’re proud of the work we’ve done and the progress we’ve made. But we have more work to do. We need to keep working until everyone in Connecticut can live their healthiest life.

Are health disparities a problem in Connecticut?

The short answer is yes. Connecticut is one of the richest states in the country, but some people still have an easier time than others getting basic resources. These gaps affect everyone’s ability to live their healthiest life.

People of color and those who live in cities are more likely to not have health insurance or to have a hard time getting healthy, fresh food, according to the National Institutes of Health. The Census Bureau also found that they face much higher housing cost burdens. This means they may have to spend so much of their monthly income on housing that it’s hard for them to afford other basic essentials, like doctor’s visits.

Our state spends more on health care per person than most other states in the country. We frequently rank in the top 10 for personal health care spending per capita (opens in a new window). When prices are high, patients and families often struggle to afford care. This means people with lower incomes might be priced out of a visit to the doctor or access to their medication.

Even just a few miles can make all the difference. Two people can be born on the same day, just a few miles apart in Connecticut, and still have very different life journeys.

How Access Health CT helps address health

Access Health CT works every day to give everyone the same opportunity to get and stay healthy.  These are just a few of the ways we’re helping to end health disparities: 

We help people sign up for or renew health and dental insurance plans. We also help them understand the benefits they get from their plans and how to use them. We have Enrollment Specialists who travel the state to meet with people one-on-one to help them understand their options and sign up for a plan.

We work with community health centers, Certified Brokers and partners across the state. Together, we help people understand why it is important to have and use health and dental insurance.

We go to health fairs and community events. Many of these events take place in neighborhoods facing health disparities. We work to meet with and reach Connecticut residents to educate them about their health and dental insurance options and the financial help available to them.

We talk with people at farmers markets, food pantries, churches, libraries, community events and more. We try to reach people where they are, so it is easy for them to get the information they need.

We build strong relationships with local businesses. Grocery stores, barber shops and salons can all help us understand how we can help their customers. We work together to help communities stay healthier.

Broker Academy Program

Want to make an even bigger difference in your community? Consider becoming a licensed, Certified Broker. Brokers help people in their neighborhoods pick and sign up for health and dental insurance. As a Broker Academy Program participant, we’ll give you free training to become a broker pass the state licensing exam. Learn more about the Broker Academy Program and how to apply.

Want to learn more about health disparities in Connecticut?

These resources will help you learn more about the problem, what’s being done to address it and how you can help.

To learn more about health disparities, download our Health Disparities and Social Determinants of Health in Connecticut report (PDF, opens in a new window). Don’t have time to read the full report? Download the executive summary (PDF, opens in a new window).

To learn more about the uninsurance rates in Connecticut, download our Understanding underlying drivers, barriers and needs of the uninsured in Connecticut report.  (PDF, opens in a new window).

Connect with us

If you have ideas or want to learn more about our work to address health equity, please reach out. You can email us at AHCT.healthequity@ct.gov.

We’d also love to hear from you in person. We hope to see you at one of our upcoming events. You can also make an appointment to talk with a trained professional. They’ll go over your insurance options and answer your questions. They can also help you sign up for a plan for you and your family.

Make an appointment with an Enrollment Specialist.

We’d love to see you in person at one of our events. View our upcoming events and registration details.

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