The Menopause Equity Initiative
The Menopause Equity Initiative (MEI) is a community-led effort to raise awareness about menopause as a public health and equity issue in Connecticut. HDI works alongside the Menopause Equity Collective, which brings together statewide organizations and community residents committed to advancing midlife women's health across community, workplace, and policy settings to respond to the needs of women throughout Connecticut.
By centering the lived experiences of those navigating the menopause transition and beyond, the MEI aims to:
- Normalize menopause as an important stage of life.
- Increase access to culturally responsive, evidence-based menopause information and resources.
- Inform workplace, healthcare, and community policies and practices that better support women's health outcomes.
- Build community capacity to advocate for women's health as they age.
- Help women make informed decisions about their health and well-being throughout life.
Through community-led events, education, resource sharing, partnerships, and advocacy, the MEI addresses the physical, emotional, cultural, healthcare, workplace, and policy aspects of menopause and midlife. It elevates lived experiences, expands access to reliable information and support, strengthens provider and community education, and advances equitable access to care in Connecticut.
Featured Report
MEI Impact Report: From Community Concerns to Legislative Action
Explore how community voices and lived experiences helped grow the Menopause Equity Initiative into a statewide movement, inform legislative action, and generate lessons for advancing community-driven health equity in Connecticut.
Bring the Conversation to Your Community
Want to Host a Menopause Event or Screen the [M] Factor documentary? Complete Our Interest Form.
The Menopause Equity Collective
The Menopause Equity Collective (MEC) is a statewide, multi-sector, multilingual, and multiracial group of community members, advocates, clinicians, researchers, policy leaders, and organizational partners. HDI works with MEC members to co-design activities and set priorities across education, research, policy, and advocacy. Together, members help advance menopause equity across Connecticut and strengthen connections with local and national organizations.
Event Photos
Photos taken by Reef's Views Photography and photos courtesy of UConn PHS Media
Brought to you with support from our valued partners:
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MEI News and Media
UConn Health Disparities Institute is Breaking the Silence Around Menopause
"On May 3 , the UConn Health Disparities Institute (HDI), in partnership with the Commission on Women, Children, Seniors, Equity and Opportunity (CWCSOEO); the Farmington Valley (CT) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated; the Aurora Foundation for Women and Girls; and the UConn Institute for Collaboration on Health, Intervention, and Policy, kicked off Women’s Health Month by welcoming over 100 women to the Legislative Office Building in Hartford. Attendees gathered to learn, share, and connect around a natural life transition that impacts all women but is rarely discussed: menopause."
Power of the Pause Celebrates Menopause Equity, Joy and Community
"Hundreds from across Connecticut gathered on October 25 at the Mandell JCC in West Hartford for the Power of the Pause (PoP) Celebration.
This free community event focused on menopause equity, midlife health education, and shared joy. Organized by the UConn Health Disparities Institute (HDI) as part of its Menopause Equity Initiative, the event encouraged open conversations about menopause as a public health and equity issue, moving away from silence and isolation, and creating space to feel seen and celebrated."
From Silence to Systems Change: Connecticut Moves Menopause Equity Forward
"Connecticut has taken a historic step toward recognizing menopause, perimenopause, and postmenopause as public health, workplace, and equity issues with the passage of two landmark bills: SB 353 and HB 5389. These measures are the result of a sustained partnership between State Representative Kai Belton, the UConn Health Disparities Institute’s Menopause Equity Initiative (MEI), and the lived experiences of community members whose stories we carried from events directly into the legislative process."
Media Segment Inventory
| Date | Segment |
| October 16, 2025 | Interview with Erica Lynn |
| October 20, 2025 | Power of the Pause segment |
| October 24, 2025 | UConn initiative aims to break menopause stigma through education and support (video interview and article) |