About
I'm a competitive swimmer and lifeguard who started making waves at age 4, and now I have the joy of teaching kids aged 2-16 to stay afloat and have fun. My passion for swimming goes beyond the pool—seeing my students grow and achieve new levels truly makes my day. As a public health equity advocate, I founded Connect2Health to ensure everyone in underserved communities has access to the healthcare they deserve because I believe in a fair shot at being healthy for all. When I'm not in the pool, you'll find me playing video games, working out, listening to music, strumming my guitar, and spending quality time with family and friends. I also find small ways to help my community lead better lives, whether through health education or just lending a hand. It's all part of my mission to make a difference, one lap at a time.
Background
Access to healthcare remains a significant issue for many underserved communities in Arizona. The state faces numerous challenges, particularly in homeless, uninsured, and minority populations.
Homelessness and Uninsured in Arizona:
- Over 10,000 people are homeless in Arizona, with more than 7,000 in Maricopa County.
- About 11.3% of Arizonans, or over 800,000 people, don’t have health insurance.
- Hispanic/Latino and Native American communities are especially affected.
Minority Communities and Healthcare Access:
- Hispanic/Latino individuals make up about 31.7% of Arizona's population, yet they experience higher rates of being
uninsured and face significant barriers to healthcare access.
- Native American communities, which constitute approximately 4.5% of the state's population, also struggle with limited
access to healthcare services, exacerbated by geographical and socio-economic factors.
Call to Action:
These statistics highlight the pressing need for improved healthcare access and support for underserved communities in Arizona. By volunteering your time and resources, you can help us provide the right access to health care services for these underserved communities who need it most. Together, we can work towards health equity and a better future for all Arizonans.
Our Story
Hi, I’m Aditya Tyagi( I go by Adi), and I’m the founder of Connect2Health. I started this organization in June of 2022 because I felt compelled to address the health inequalities I witnessed around me. Growing up, I saw firsthand how crucial good healthcare is. My dad has psoriatic arthritis, and my younger brother has autism. Thanks to accessible healthcare, they are receiving the care they need and are able to manage their conditions to lead a quality life. But, I recognized that not everyone in our community is that fortunate. I saw firsthand how many people, especially those who are unhoused or from underserved backgrounds, don’t have access to the same quality of care most of us have, which we often take for granted.
​On a rainy day in 2022, a moment forever changed my life. In a Walmart parking lot, I saw a Hispanic woman clutching an infant with two young children by her side, desperately asking for money to get medical care for her baby’s heart condition. My heart ached as I handed her a few dollars, knowing it wasn't enough. Later that year, while driving home from a doctor’s appointment, I encountered a homeless man in his 40s with a severely infected open wound on his leg, begging for money for food. The sight haunted me for days. Not so long after, on another scorching day, I saw two elderly people sleeping under a bridge, their pets by their side, their skin burned from the extreme heat, looking extremely dehydrated and helpless. In each encounter, I did what little I could—offering a cold bottle of water, and a few dollars. Their fleeting smiles were heartwarming, but it was painfully clear that these small acts of kindness were not enough. I am a strong believer in action over inaction.
This stark contrast inspired me to take action. I founded Connect2Health to address these disparities and advocate for health equity, ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to receive the care they need. By bridging gaps and providing essential medical services, we aim to create a healthier, more equitable future for all. Our mission is to connect with community health centers, free clinics, and NGOs, to volunteer our time and resources, increasing outreach and providing underserved communities with essential clinical care and health education, ensuring everyone receives the vital care they deserve. Our efforts are primarily aimed at supporting medically uninsured, underinsured, people with low socioeconomic status, homeless, and underserved populations, including non-native English speakers, people with low literacy levels, cultural, ethnic, religious minorities, and the LGBTQ+ community.
By collaborating with dedicated healthcare professionals, volunteers, and community leaders, we strive to build a supportive network. Through Connect2Health, we hope to make a real difference and work towards a future where everyone has access to the healthcare they need.
Together, we can bridge the gap and ensure that quality healthcare is not just a privilege for some, but a right for all.
​​ - Aditya Tyagi (Founder of Connect2Health)