Press Releases
05/23/2024
CONNECTICUT HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCIES HOST FIRST SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH SUMMIT
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MAY 23, 2024
(Hartford, CT) – On Wednesday, May 22, 2024 the Office of Health Strategy (OHS), along with several of Connecticut’s health and human services agencies hosted a Social Determinants of Health Summit at the Chrysalis Center in Hartford, CT. This first ever statewide summit convened community-based social services agencies and healthcare organizations, community, and state agency leaders to discuss collaboration and alignment on efforts to address social determinants of health and improve health outcomes. According to the National Institutes of Health, social determinants of health (SDoH), such as financial resources and housing stability, account for between 30–55% of people’s health outcomes.
The day-long event included sessions with community and state leaders on improving access to healthy and nutritious foods, economic security, community engagement, behavioral health supports, safe and supportive housing, and maternal and infant health.
Governor Lamont provided welcome remarks, and Dr. Wizdom Powell, Chief Social Impact and Diversity Officer at Headspace Health, provided the keynote speech. The event also hosted a state agency panel of all Health and Human Services Commissioners, moderated by Tiffany Donelson, CT Health Foundation CEO.
“I appreciate our health and human services state agencies for organizing this summit to highlight a topic that is important to our administration on behalf of Connecticut’s residents,” Governor Lamont said. “The perspectives and contributions of everyone who participated are critical to helping shape the policies that will continue to lead the way to make Connecticut the best state to raise a family.”
“I’m proud to be part of a team of HHS agencies focused on reducing health disparities and working to address social determinants of health,” said Dr. Deidre Gifford, Commissioner of the Office of Health Strategy and Health and Human Services Policy Advisor to Governor Lamont. “We heard from incredible community organizations who are on the ground in communities working to improve health outcomes every day, and we thank them for their partnership and commitment to this work.”
“We know that the well-being of Connecticut residents relies on their social needs being met. These are important conversations to have and it’s critically important that they involve both state leaders and community members,” said Tiffany Donelson, President and CEO of the Connecticut Health Foundation. “This summit is an important step forward. We are eager for more conversations and solutions to come.”
The event concluded with remarks from Executive Director, Ayesha Clarke of Health Equity Solutions.
“Today marks the beginning of a new chapter in our collective efforts to address the social determinants of health,” said Ayesha R. Clarke, Executive Director of Health Equity Solutions. “Embracing transformational community engagement and leveraging public and private sector strengths, we can create a supportive and thriving community that equitably addresses our residents' critical health and social needs. The path to health equity lies in breaking down silos and ensuring that everyone in Connecticut has the opportunity to live their healthiest and happiest lives.”
For more information or to view the Summit visit: https://portal.ct.gov/ohs/press-room/events/sdoh-summit
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Media Contact:
Tina Kumar-Hyde
Director of Communications, Connecticut Office of Health Strategy
Tina.Hyde@ct.gov
860.969.7228 (Cell)