By the Numbers
A state of about 3.7 million people, Connecticut has distinctive characteristics that inform outreach and delivery of healthcare by specialists at Yale Cancer Center and Smilow Cancer Hospital.
Connecticut…
…is the third smallest state by area, but the fourth most densely populated state in the US.
...has the highest per capita personal income, and also the second highest household income inequality in the nation.
...has a statewide poverty rate comparable to that of most states, but the proportion of urban area residents living in poverty is nearly double that of most states.
…has many cities in which NIH-defined health disparity populations represent the majority of residents.
…has one of the fastest aging populations in the nation, ranking as the 7th oldest state in the nation. About 23% of the state’s total population is aged 60 or older. Its older adult population is the most racially and ethnically diverse in New England, with 17.5% of residents 65 or older being people of color. Also, 62% are diagnosed with four or more chronic health conditions.
Cancer InFocus
Cancer InFocus is a software platform that automates the gathering and visualization of publicly available data relating to cancer incidence and mortality and thereby facilitates better understanding of cancer burden within the catchment area of an NCI-designated cancer center. This platform was developed by the Community Impact Office at the University of Kentucky Markey Cancer Center and made available to Yale Cancer Center (YCC) and other cancer centers via a no-cost licensing agreement for access to data gathering and application creation code.
Within the YCC Cancer InFocus platform, users can explore cancer outcomes across the YCC catchment area, including age-adjusted incidence and mortality rates, and cancer-related determinants at three geographic-levels for the State of Connecticut (depending on availability based on data source): census tract, county, and the planning regions.
References: (1) Burus JT, Park L, McAfee CR, Wilhite NP, Hull PC. Cancer InFocus: Tools for Cancer Center Catchment Area Geographic Data Collection and Visualization. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 2023;32(7):OF1-OF5.
Cancer InFocus
Access the YCC Cancer InFocus platform, to explore cancer outcomes across the Yale Cancer Center catchment area.
Connecticut Catchment Area Profile Report
Findings in the 2026 Connecticut Catchment Area Profile report
The 2026 Connecticut Catchment Area Profile provides data on cancer incidence and mortality across Connecticut, using both state and national sources. It highlights trends in 14 cancer types by race, ethnicity, and sex to help researchers, healthcare providers, and communities better understand cancer disparities. The report also supports Smilow Cancer Hospital and Yale Cancer Center’s efforts to improve cancer equity and care across Connecticut through its 16 clinical sites.