Menopause should be a celebrated chapter in every woman's journey, not a silent struggle.
The Menopause Equity Initiative envisions a world where every woman is supported, informed, and empowered as she approaches midlife.
About the Menopause Equity Initiative
The Menopause Equity Initiative (MEI) is a year-long, community-led effort to frame menopause as a public health concern and health equity priority. From May 2025 through August 2026, HDI is working alongside statewide partners and the Menopause Equity Collective to educate and bring awareness to menopause through hosting educational events and curating resources that meet the real needs of Connecticut women.
By centering the lived experiences of those most affected by menopause, the MEI aims to:
- Shift narratives to normalize menopause as a natural life stage transition.
- Expand access to culturally responsive, evidence-based resources that meet the unique needs of diverse communities.
- Inform workplace policies, medical education, and community engagement strategies to support women's health better.
- Strengthen community capacity to advocate for and support the well-being of aging women.
- Empower women across the lifespan to make informed decisions about their healthcare and overall well-being.
Key topics that will be covered in MEI events, resources, and conversations include:
- Men’s Health & Menopause Conversation
- Aging and Menopause
- Oral Health and Menopause
- Mental Health & Emotional Wellness
- Menopause in the Workplace & Policy Advocacy
- Breast Cancer Survivorship & Menopause Consumer Awareness & Menopause
- Latina Women and Menopause: A Cultural Lens
Menopause Equity Collective and Initiative Partners
This initiative is guided by a committed group of partners and advisors, including:
Upcoming Events
Rooted in Wisdom: A Menopause Garden Party
The Mouth Matters: Oral Health & Menopause
Date: Fall 2025
The Menopause Party: Power of the Pause
Date: October 2025
MenofPause: Men Supporting Loved Ones Navigating Menopause
Date: March 2026
Photo taken of the event planning committee at the May 3rd Menopause event. Representatives from event partners: UConn's Institute for Collaboration on Health, Intervention, and Policy (InCHIP), Health Disparities Institute at UConn Health, The Aurora Foundation, and The Commission on Women, Children, Seniors, Equity, & Opportunity (CWCSEO).
The Launch of the Initiative: Breaking the Silence on Menopause
On May 3, 2025, over 100 attendees gathered at the Connecticut Legislative Office Building in downtown Hartford for a brunch that would spark a movement.
Presented by the Health Disparities Institute and The Commission on Women, Children, Seniors, Equity, & Opportunity (CWCSEO) and in partnership with Aurora Women and Girls Foundation and the Farmington Valley CT Chapter of The Links, Incorporated, the event included a panel discussion and screening of The M Factor: Shredding the Silence on Menopause, a groundbreaking documentary that confronts the neglected crisis of menopause head-on. Medical experts shared their personal and professional experiences, while attendees shared stories, asked questions, and built a community of solidarity.
As one attendee put it, “This is about more than hot flashes and brain fog; it’s about dignity, support, and rewriting the narrative of aging for our generations now, before us, and after us.”
“It is NOT all in our heads…menopause inequities need to be acknowledged, listened to, and not treated as a deficit.”
Together, event organizers, panelists, and attendees identified a few strategies necessary to advance menopause equity in Connecticut. Health professionals and legislators need to recognize menopause as a health priority, address disparities in care, and create supportive workplace policies. They called for more research, better insurance coverage, and ongoing education—especially for communities that have been historically underserved.
Check out this feature in UConn Today to learn more about the event: “UConn Health Disparities Institute is Breaking the Silence Around Menopause”