{"id":247486,"date":"2026-06-15T15:21:53","date_gmt":"2026-06-15T19:21:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/?p=247486"},"modified":"2026-06-17T10:03:29","modified_gmt":"2026-06-17T14:03:29","slug":"oral-health-and-menopause-lunch-and-learn-highlights-need-for-interdisciplinary-care","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/2026\/06\/oral-health-and-menopause-lunch-and-learn-highlights-need-for-interdisciplinary-care\/","title":{"rendered":"Oral Health and Menopause Lunch and Learn Highlights Need for Interdisciplinary Care"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">As menopause continues to gain recognition as a public health and equity priority, a growing body of evidence points to a dimension often overlooked: its impact on oral health.\u202f<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Approximately 60 providers, researchers, students, and community partners attended the Oral Health and Menopause Lunch &amp; Learn on June 10, both in person at UConn Health and virtually. Hosted by the UConn Health Disparities Institute (HDI) in partnership with the UConn School of Dental Medicine, Delta Dental, and the Connecticut Oral Health Initiative, the program explored the intersection of menopause, oral health, and health equity during National Oral Health Month.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The session was designed to increase awareness of oral health changes during menopause, explore clinical implications and patient experiences, and identify opportunities for provider education, interdisciplinary collaboration, and systems-level change.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">Delta Dental of Connecticut<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> served as the presenting partner for the event.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Setting the Stage<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The event opened with remarks from Dr. Steven M. Lepowsky, Dean of the UConn School of Dental Medicine, and Dr. Linda Sprague Martinez, director of the UConn Health Disparities Institute, as well as partner remarks from Dr. Bethaney Brenner, a graduate of the UConn School of Dental Medicine, past president of the Connecticut State Dental Association, and practicing dentist in Burlington, Connecticut, who spoke on behalf of Delta Dental.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Featured clinical speakers included:<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none\">\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"1\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Dr. Seema Kurup<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, Associate Professor in the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Diagnostic Sciences at the UConn School of Dental Medicine<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none\">\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"1\" data-aria-posinset=\"2\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Dr. Jenna Ward<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, Assistant Professor in the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Diagnostic Sciences at the UConn School of Dental Medicine<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none\">\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"1\" data-aria-posinset=\"3\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Dr. Lenora S. Williams<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">,\u00a0<\/span>Assistant Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at UConn Health and a North American Menopausal Society Certified Menopause Practitioner.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none\">\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"1\" data-aria-posinset=\"4\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Dr. Feier Liu<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at UConn Health.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The event concluded with a panel discussion moderated by Sophie Tulchinsky, UConn Health Disparities Institute Health Equity Fellow, and audience Q&amp;A.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201cJune is National Oral Health Month, which makes this the perfect moment to highlight the connection between oral health and menopause,\u201d said Lepowsky. \u201cOral health is inseparable from overall health, and menopause is a critical period where that connection becomes especially clear. Clinicians across disciplines need to understand how hormonal changes affect the oral cavity so we can better support patients during this transition.\u201d<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The event is part of HDI&#8217;s Speaker Series and the Menopause Equity Initiative (MEI), a statewide, community-driven effort to elevate menopause as a public health and equity priority in Connecticut.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Delta Dental: Education, Communication, and Whole-Person Care<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">In her partner remarks, Dr. Brenner emphasized the importance of education, communication, and team-based care in helping patients understand the connection between oral health and menopause. Her remarks underscored a central message of the program: the mouth is not separate from the body, and hormonal changes across the life course can affect oral health, comfort, function, and quality of life.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Dr. Brenner also highlighted Delta Dental&#8217;s commitment to educating patients and providers, supporting evidence-based conversations about menopause, and normalizing this natural stage of life so patients can make informed health and wellness decisions.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">&#8220;Knowledge is power,&#8221; Brenner said. &#8220;Our ability to communicate effectively with patients can leave a lasting impact, especially when we are helping them understand how oral health connects to whole-person health.&#8221;<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The program also included a special Delta Dental edition of\u202f<\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The (M) Factor: Shredding the Silence on Menopause<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, a documentary that premiered on PBS and spotlights the connection between oral health and menopause. The special edit featured insights from Sarah Chavarria, CEO and President of Delta Dental of California and Affiliates, and Teri Barichello, DMD, Vice President and Chief Dental Officer of Delta Dental of Oregon and Alaska, on how menopause can affect women&#8217;s oral health.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Elevating Oral Health in Menopause Care<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Dr. Kurup opened the clinical presentations by emphasizing the need to elevate oral health education in the context of menopause.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>\u201cMenopause is a natural physiologic transition, not a disease,\u201d Kurup said. \u201cPeople are aware of hot flashes, mood changes and weight fluctuations. Yet there is a striking lack of information about how hormonal changes affect the oral cavity. Oral health is more than the absence of disease; it\u2019s about comfort, function, microbiome balance, and quality of life.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Kurup highlighted the parallels between the oral and vaginal mucosa, noting that both are estrogen-responsive tissues. She discussed the impact of estrogen deficiency on the oral microbiome and conditions such as burning mouth syndrome and temporomandibular disorders.<\/p>\n<p>Burning mouth is seen more in peri and post-menopausal women. Hormonal changes may influence pain perception, taste function, salivary function, and neural sensitivity. Similarly, estrogen receptors within the TMJ, suggest that estrogen has the potential to exert both protective and pain-promoting effects.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cMenopause conversations matter,\u201d she emphasized. \u201cAsk. Record. Follow through.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Xerostomia, Periodontitis, and Bone Health<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Dr. Ward focused her presentation on xerostomia, or dry mouth, a common but often overlooked concern among menopausal patients. She provided clinicians with questions to help identify xerostomia and distinguish it from other oral conditions, including whether a patient feels their mouth is dry when eating, has difficulty swallowing without liquid, experiences food sticking to the teeth or mucosa, or has burning, pain, or raw sensations in the mouth.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201cXerostomia has many causes, including medications, autoimmune conditions, and dehydration, but menopause is one important contributor,\u201d Ward explained. \u201cReductions in estrogen can be associated with decreased salivary flow, which may help explain why many menopausal women report dry mouth.\u201d<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Ward noted that while some studies suggest hormone replacement therapy may improve symptoms, findings are mixed, and more research is needed. She also referenced emerging evidence linking xerostomia to bone density loss.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0\u201cThere is interesting research suggesting a relationship between dry mouth and decreased bone density,\u201d she said. \u201cThis may signal a need for more routine bone health screening among menopausal patients presenting with xerostomia.\u201d<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Menopause as Normal Physiology and a Health Equity Issue<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Dr. Williams grounded her talk in a key message: &#8220;Menopause is normal physiology <\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">not pathology<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">. It is not a disease. It is not a disorder.&#8221;<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0She reminded attendees that more than 60 million women in the U.S. are currently<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\"> perimenopausal or menopausal<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0 <\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">with some women spending 40% of their lives postmenopausal<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, making it a major public health issue. She discussed estrogen&#8217;s effects on the oral cavity and the similarities between oral and genitourinary changes during the menopausal transition.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Williams illustrated the systemic effects of estrogen loss, <\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">and the relationship between skeletal and periodontal(alveolar) bone health.<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> She also highlighted the importance of addressing racial and structural disparities in both oral health and menopause care.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201cHealth disparities are not created by the menopause transition but this transition can magnify disparities that already exist. Structural racism shapes access to oral health care, and menopausal management,&#8221; Williams said. \u201cIf we want to improve outcomes, we must confront the systems that create unequal access in the first place.\u201d<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">She emphasized the need for cross-disciplinary collaboration.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201cDentists, physicians, mental health providers, we all have a role to play,\u201d Williams added. \u201cMenopause care must be a team effort.\u201d<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Mental Health, Menopause, and Oral Health<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Dr. Liu closed the presentations by underscoring the strong connection between mental health and oral health during the menopause transition. She explained that menopause can be associated with increased risk for depression and anxiety, sleep disruption, stress, and other mental health concerns.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Liu also described the ways mental health can influence oral health behaviors, including dental hygiene practices, avoidance of dental follow-up, tobacco or alcohol use, and stress-related conditions such as bruxism, facial pain, and temporomandibular disorders. She noted that oral health conditions can also affect quality of life, including eating, speaking, smiling, sleep, pain, work, and social connections.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201cMental health is deeply connected to oral health,\u201d Liu said. \u201cSupporting patients through the emotional and psychological aspects of menopause is essential to supporting their oral health.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Liu encouraged clinicians to screen more intentionally, ask patients about dental concerns and stressors, use motivational interviewing, and apply trauma-informed approaches to care.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">A Call for Interdisciplinary Action<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The event concluded with a panel discussion moderated by Tulchinsky. The discussion brought together all four presenters to explore opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration and more coordinated menopause-informed care. Clinicians asked questions through Slido and in person, reflecting strong interest in integrating menopause-informed care into dental, medical, behavioral health, and health professions education.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201cAdvancing the health of women in midlife requires a whole<\/span>\u2011<span data-contrast=\"auto\">health approach,\u201d said Tulchinsky. \u201cMenopause affects every part of a person\u2019s well<\/span>\u2011<span data-contrast=\"auto\">being, and our care models need to reflect that. When clinicians look beyond isolated symptoms and consider the full physical, emotional, and oral health picture, we can better support patients through this transition and beyond.&#8221;<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The event reinforced the importance of creating reliable patient education, strengthening provider training, expanding access to oral health care, and building care models that better support<\/span> <span data-contrast=\"none\">marginalized <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">and medically underserved populations.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">&#8220;Improving menopause-informed oral health care is not just a clinical challenge; it is a policy challenge,&#8221; said Gary Turco, Executive Director of the Connecticut Oral Health Initiative. &#8220;Providers can expand their knowledge and refine their practice, but without meaningful insurance reforms and equitable access to preventive and specialty care, the patients who need this care most will continue to be left behind.&#8221;<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201cPatients are telling us clearly that they want reliable information, they want to have meaningful conversations with their providers, and they want care that is coordinated across disciplines,\u201d said Dr. Linda Sprague Martinez, Director of the UConn Health Disparities Institute. \u201cIf we are serious about improving outcomes for <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">minoritized <\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">marginalized <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">and medically underserved populations, we must continue to learn and work together, across dentistry, medicine, mental health, and with our community partners and patients themselves. Today was an important step toward that goal, and we need to keep building on this momentum to create a system that truly supports people through the menopause transition.\u201d<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">What&#8217;s Next for HDI&#8217;s Menopause Equity Initiative<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">As HDI enters the next phase of the Menopause Equity Initiative, Trisha Pitter, Director of Community Learning &amp; Engagement, noted that the institute will continue to support education and awareness by providing free access to\u202f<\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The (M) Factor: Shredding the Silence on Menopause<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> documentary, accompanied by a community event planning toolkit.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">&#8220;We welcome providers, community organizations, employers, and partners across Connecticut to use\u202f<\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The (M) Factor<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> documentary as a tool to spread awareness, spark conversation, and continue education about menopause care,&#8221; Pitter said. &#8220;Together, we can break the silence around menopause and build a system that better supports people through this transition.&#8221;<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">&#8220;This event reflects the heart of HDI&#8217;s work: bringing together community, clinical, academic, and policy partners to address gaps that too often remain invisible,&#8221; said Sprague Martinez. &#8220;The Menopause Equity Initiative has helped elevate menopause as a public health and equity issue in Connecticut, and this next phase is about building the infrastructure needed to sustain that momentum and translate learning into systems, practice, and policy change. I am excited for Pitter to lead this charge.&#8221;<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">About the Health Disparities Institute (HDI)<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The Health Disparities Institute at UConn Health works to advance equity and improve health outcomes by addressing the root causes of health disparities. Through research, data, workforce development, and strong partnerships with communities disproportionately impacted by inequities, HDI leads efforts to create systemic change. HDI\u2019s vision is equitable health, education, and economic opportunity for all in Connecticut. The institute partners with communities across Connecticut to address the structural and social factors that shape health, with a focus on ensuring that those most affected by inequities are centered in defining problems and leading solutions.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">HDI\u2019s Menopause Equity Initiative is part of this broader commitment. The initiative seeks to transform how menopause and midlife health are understood, discussed, and supported by expanding access to accurate information, improving care pathways, and elevating the lived experiences of women and gender-diverse people navigating midlife transitions. Through community-driven programming, partnerships, and public education, HDI is working to ensure that menopause is recognized as a critical health equity issue rather than a private struggle.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Program explored the intersection of menopause, oral health, and health equity during National Oral Health Month<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":136,"featured_media":247547,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"wds_primary_category":2166,"wds_primary_series":0,"wds_primary_attribution":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[2166,1868,179],"tags":[],"magazine-issues":[],"coauthors":[2177],"class_list":["post-247486","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-sdm","category-meds","category-uconn-health"],"pp_statuses_selecting_workflow":false,"pp_workflow_action":"current","pp_status_selection":"publish","acf":[],"publishpress_future_action":{"enabled":false,"date":"2026-06-29 05:21:55","action":"change-status","newStatus":"draft","terms":[],"taxonomy":"category","extraData":[]},"publishpress_future_workflow_manual_trigger":{"enabledWorkflows":[]},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-rest\/wp\/v2\/posts\/247486","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-rest\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-rest\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-rest\/wp\/v2\/users\/136"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-rest\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=247486"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-rest\/wp\/v2\/posts\/247486\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":247625,"href":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-rest\/wp\/v2\/posts\/247486\/revisions\/247625"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-rest\/wp\/v2\/media\/247547"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-rest\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=247486"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-rest\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=247486"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-rest\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=247486"},{"taxonomy":"magazine-issue","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-rest\/wp\/v2\/magazine-issues?post=247486"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-rest\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=247486"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}