A State-Specific Approach for Visualizing Overburdened Communities: Lessons from the Connecticut Environmental Justice Screening Tool 2.0

While multiple federal screening tools have previously been developed for mapping communities facing environmental injustice and health disparities, many states across the United States have seen value in developing state-specific screening tools. This article provides an overview of a recent addition to the list of state screening tools, the Connecticut Environmental Justice Screening Tool (CT EJScreen). CT EJScreen identifies communities disproportionately affected by environmental and socioeconomic burdens at the census tract level. The tool integrates geospatial data on potential pollution sources, exposures, health sensitivities, and socioeconomic factors to produce a cumulative Environmental Justice Index. This article describes the development process of the tool, its methodological framework, the multi-pronged public engagement during the development process, preliminary correlation analyses, lessons learned, and recommendations for future iterations. Spearman correlation and Principal Component Analysis were applied to assess variable relationships and guide indicator refinement. Stakeholder engagement with Connecticut’s environmental justice communities ensured that the tool reflects both quantitative data and lived experiences. CT EJScreen provides important information for policy implementation covering areas such as funding, public health issues, and permitting. The CT EJScreen process might serve as a useful template for other states looking to devise state-specific adjunct screening systems.