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A recent study by the Commonwealth Fund revealed significant health care disparities in the United States, particularly for Black and Hispanic individuals compared to white individuals. In New England, Connecticut stood out for having more severe racial and ethnic disparities in health care. Despite Black people in Connecticut ranking fifth out of 39 states for overall health care outcomes, the state still had huge racial gaps in health system performance, with Black individuals experiencing the worst outcomes.
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.
Overall, this study highlights significant disparities faced by marginalized communities across America when it comes to accessing quality healthcare services. These disparities are not only morally wrong but also have a negative impact on public health and wellbeing. It is crucial that governments and healthcare providers take actionable steps to address these disparities and work towards creating a more equitable healthcare system where everyone can receive quality care regardless of their race or ethnicity.
