In Connecticut, the Commonwealth Fund’s recent study revealed significant disparities in health care outcomes and access for Black and Hispanic individuals compared to white individuals. Despite Black people in the state ranking fifth out of 39 states for overall health care outcomes, they still experienced huge racial gaps in health system performance, with the worst outcomes for Black individuals.
The study found that Black individuals were more than twice as likely as white individuals to die before the age of 75 from treatable causes in Connecticut. Additionally, Black individuals aged 65 and older had nearly double the rate of potentially avoidable ER visits and hospital readmissions within 30 days compared to white individuals. The infant mortality rate for Black babies was over three times higher than that for white babies in the state.
In terms of insurance coverage, 16% of Hispanic individuals in Connecticut were uninsured, compared to only 4% of white individuals. On the other hand, Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander populations in the state fared relatively well in terms of health outcomes compared to 31 other states. White individuals overall in Connecticut had some of the best health outcomes in the nation, ranking fourth in the study.
The study also highlighted significant disparities faced by both Black and Hispanic populations across all states. Addressing these disparities will require targeted efforts to improve health care access and outcomes for marginalized communities across the United States.
The findings from this study underscore the need for targeted interventions aimed at improving healthcare access and outcomes for marginalized communities across all states. This includes addressing insurance coverage gaps, improving access to quality care providers, and addressing systemic racism that perpetuates disparities within our healthcare system.