By D.M.Livingston|The Waterbury Times|Published Dec 2 10:03AM
WATERBURY, CT — A new Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) from the Greater Waterbury Health Partnership provides the clearest look yet at what residents are struggling with — and where the city must focus resources between now and 2026. The report, which includes health data, neighborhood indicators, and community feedback, paints a complex picture: rising chronic disease, major mental-health strain, and deep social-determinant challenges linked to poverty, housing, and access to care.
View the entire 2023-2026 Needs Assessment
Here are the Top 10 Community Needs in Waterbury, backed directly by the 2023–2026 CHNA data.
1. Access to Healthcare & Health Equity
Waterbury residents consistently face barriers to accessing affordable, timely, and culturally competent medical care.
Key issues highlighted in the CHNA include:
- Language and translation gaps
- Limited access to primary care
- High hospital readmission rates
- Lack of coordination between medical, behavioral, and social services
For the city’s large immigrant and non-English-speaking communities, these barriers create an added layer of risk.
2. Chronic Disease: Diabetes, Hypertension & Obesity
Chronic illnesses remain higher in Waterbury than statewide averages.
The CHNA shows:
- Steep increases in hypertension and diabetes diagnoses
- Rising obesity across all racial and ethnic groups
- Higher cancer mortality rates than the Connecticut average
Preventive care and nutrition access are major contributing factors.
3. Mental Health: Anxiety, Depression & Trauma
Waterbury is experiencing a mental-health crisis.
Residents surveyed in the CHNA reported:
- Higher levels of depression and anxiety than the state average
- Increased stress linked to finances, housing, and neighborhood safety
- Limited culturally appropriate mental-health services
This issue intersects heavily with youth, families, and returning citizens.
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4. Substance Use & Behavioral Health Support
The report identifies substance use — especially opioids, alcohol, and polysubstance use — as a growing concern.
Behavioral-health systems remain fragmented, making it harder for families to get timely support.
5. Maternal Health & Family Support
Maternal health was elevated to a top community priority.
Key needs include:
- Culturally responsive prenatal education
- Better postpartum mental-health support
- Increased trust and communication between families and providers
Waterbury’s diverse communities face disproportionate maternal-health risks.
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6. Housing Instability & Cost Burden
Housing directly impacts health — and the CHNA data shows:
- A large share of households are cost-burdened, spending 30–50%+ of income on rent
- Overcrowded units and quality issues (mold, pests, heat) affect childhood asthma and chronic illness
- Homelessness continues to strain both nonprofits and families
Housing instability has become one of the strongest predictors of negative health outcomes in the region.
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7. Poverty, Unemployment & Economic Stress
Economic hardship remains one of Waterbury’s strongest social determinants of health.
The CHNA links:
- High poverty rates
- Underemployment and unstable work
- Financial stress
- Food insecurity
These conditions ripple into physical health, mental wellness, and youth outcomes.
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8. Language Barriers & Cultural Competency
Waterbury’s population is more linguistically diverse than many Connecticut cities.
The CHNA documents that:
- A significant share of households report limited English proficiency
- Language barriers affect access to healthcare, education, and emergency services
- Many residents struggle to navigate hospitals, clinics, and social-service systems
Addressing this need is essential for improving citywide health equity.
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9. Transportation Access
Reliable transportation is a major challenge for residents seeking:
- Medical appointments
- Mental-health services
- Employment
- Healthy food options
The CHNA repeatedly links transportation limitations to missed appointments and worsening chronic health conditions.
10. Trust, Outreach & Community Engagement
One of the most unexpected findings: many residents do not trust the institutions designed to support them.
The CHNA identifies a need for:
- Stronger community outreach
- More accessible health education
- Increased transparency from hospitals, clinics, and public agencies
- Partnerships with trusted local leaders and organizations
Trust-building is now considered a core public-health strategy.
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Why These Top 10 Needs Matter for Waterbury’s Future
The 2023–2026 CHNA makes one thing clear:
health outcomes in Waterbury are driven by both medical and social conditions — housing, income, language, access to care, and the stress of everyday survival.
Any progress will require collaboration between:
- Hospitals
- Nonprofits
- Schools
- Faith organizations
- Neighborhood groups
- City leadership
- Community media
The good news: the data gives Waterbury a roadmap. The next step is action.
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