On the mornings Hartford resident Angel has dialysis, getting there isn’t always guaranteed. Without dependable transportation, he and his partner Nilda have had to plan carefully – often making tough decisions about which weekly appointments they can afford to keep, and which they have to miss.

Each time Angel delays care, his health concerns go unchecked, potentially leading to more serious complications and higher risks in the long run.

Angel’s experience reflects a broader challenge many families face. 80% of a person’s health is affected by factors outside of medical care, including daily living conditions and access to basic resources.

Without reliable transportation, routine care is often delayed or missed altogether, leading to more costly and complex health needs over time. For example, over 70% of potentially preventable hospitalizations are tied to chronic conditions that are often manageable with timely, routine care, costing the U.S. $27.3 billion a year.

In Hartford, residents are disproportionately likely to forgo care due to transportation barriers. As Nilda navigated through eligibility requirements for programs to support Angel, she experienced stress and frustration in getting access to the care she knew he needed – and deserved.

A pathway to care

To help address the transportation gap, Hartford Public Library launched Health on the Go, a community program that connects residents to no-cost rides and public transit options for medical appointments.

As a trusted institution in the Hartford community for more than two centuries, people visit the library for many reasons – to check out books, to use a computer, to find support. Now, it’s also a new solution to care access.

To expand the program’s reach and impact, Hartford Public Library received a grant from The Cigna Group Foundation through its Health Equity Impact Fund, bringing together community trust and targeted investment to remove one of the most common barriers to care. By connecting patients directly to transportation resources, Health on the Go helps ensure people can attend routine and specialty care visits – supporting more consistent access to treatment and follow-up care.

“When my PCP recommended this program, it was like seeing the light again,” Angel said. “It took a large weight off of our shoulders.” With transportation support in place, it gave Angel and his family one less thing to worry about and more time to focus on staying healthy.

The community-wide impact is already visible. In the past six months alone, the program has provided more than 1,500 rides and over 600 public transit passes, helping community members get to the care they need.

According to Bridget E. Quinn, president and CEO of Hartford Public Library, that consistency makes a meaningful difference.

A shared commitment to access

The Health on the Go program reflects a broader shift in how libraries serve their communities – evolving from traditional information hubs to access points for essential services that support overall well-being.

“Transportation is a critical but often invisible part of health care access,” said Ellie Polack, president of The Cigna Group Foundation. “Through our Health Equity Impact Fund, we invest in community-led solutions that make it easier for people to get care – so they don’t have to make impossible choices about their health. Programs like Health on the Go show what’s possible when local organizations and philanthropic partners come together to remove barriers and connect more people to consistent, timely care.”

Health on the Go is just one part of the library’s growing portfolio of social support services, connecting visitors to resources for mental and physical health, public benefits, and other essential needs – all in a familiar, community-based setting.

“It’s an investment in our city and in our community, because if people are healthier themselves, they are then better able to take care of their families, to show up as employees, and to become more active in the community itself.” Quinn said.

Programs like this show what’s possible when care meets people where they are – helping turn everyday barriers into pathways to better health.