Race, Ethnicity, and Language (REL) Data Legislation is the standardized collection of healthcare data by race, ethnicity, and language. By collecting this macro-level data, we can identify and address the racial inequities across healthcare in our state.
Who it impacts:
There is a 19-year-difference in life expectancy for someone residing on Colorado Ave in Bridgeport (70 years) and someone residing on Highwood Rd in Westport (89 years). This is the story of healthcare in Connecticut. And we don’t even have the data to explain this discrepancy. REL Data legislation has the potential to improve the quality of healthcare provided to all CT residents, and especially residents of color, by illuminating demographic healthcare trends across our state.
As the Executive Director of Health Equity Solutions, Dr. Tekisha Everette, says: “Our ask is simple: we want standard, uniform data collected in such a manner that racial and ethnic subgroup trends are visible.”
Why it matters:
REL Data is a racial justice issue.
REL Data will reveal not only the problems, but also the solutions.
REL Data collection will honor the confidentiality of individual patients.