The Menopause Equity Initiative (MEI) is a year-long (2025-2026), community-led effort to raise awareness about menopause as a public health and equity issue in Connecticut. HDI works alongside its established Menopause Equity Collective, which represents statewide organizations and community residents dedicated to prioritizing and championing midlife women's health at the community, workforce, and policy levels that meet the real needs of Connecticut women.

By centering the lived experiences of those most affected by menopause, the MEI aims to:

• Normalize menopause as a natural stage of life.
• Increase access to culturally responsive, evidence-based menopause resources.
• Inform workplace, medical, and community policies to better support women's health.
• Build community capacity to advocate for the health of aging women.
• Help women make informed decisions about their health and wellness throughout life.

Throughout the year, the MEI will offer events, tools, and conversations on a variety of health, wellness, and equity topics related to menopause and midlife, covering everything from physical and emotional well-being to cultural perspectives, workplace experiences, and access to care.