Health District offers free diabetes classes in English and Spanish

Programs offer education, support, recipes and other resources

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
January 14, 2026

LAS VEGAS –The Southern Nevada Health District has rolled out a new schedule of free diabetes self-management, education and support classes offered in English, Spanish, in-person and online. The classes are available starting Jan. 21.

“Diabetes is a serious and growing health challenge that affects not just individuals, but entire families and communities,” said Dr. Cassius Lockett, District Health Officer for the Health District. “The good news is that with the right education, support and tools, people can prevent complications and take control of their health, which is why these free classes are so important.”

Diabetes continues to affect a growing share of the population at the local, state and national levels. In Clark County, 12.8% of adults—about 238,000 people—had diabetes in 2023. Statewide in 2024, an estimated 13.5% of adults, or 345,700 Nevadans, were diagnosed with the disease. Nationally, more than 41 million Americans are living with diabetes, including 11.7 million who do not know they have it. About 1.2 million people are newly diagnosed each year.

The American Diabetes Association estimates that 816,000 Nevadans are living with prediabetes, a condition that raises the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, heart disease and stroke. Adults who experience food insecurity face a significantly higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes, often because limited resources force them to rely on lower-cost foods that are high in calories and lower in nutritional value.

The Health District’s Office of Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion provides free diabetes self-management classes online and in-person. Led by trained health educators, the classes are recognized by the American Diabetes Association for meeting national standards in diabetes self-management education.

The Health District is currently accepting registrations for the following classes:

In-person classes

Main Public Health Center, 280 S. Decatur Blvd., Las Vegas, NV 89107

English:

Wednesday, Jan. 21 and 28, from 2 to 4 p.m.

Spanish:

Thursday, Jan. 22 and 29, from 10 a.m. to noon

Virtual classes (Microsoft Teams)

English:
Thursday, Jan. 22, 29 and Feb. 5, from 10 a.m. to noon

Additional classes are scheduled through mid-May. More information is available from the Get Healthy Clark County Community Calendar.

To register for classes, call (702) 759-1270, email gethealthy@snhd.org or complete the Diabetes Self-Management Class Interest Form. Registration for Spanish-language classes is available on the Viva Saludable website. More information about the classes is available in the Diabetes Self-Management Classes video.

To learn more about diabetes resources in Southern Nevada, go to Get Healthy Clark County|Local Diabetes Resources or Viva Saludable|Recursos locales para la diabetes.

The Southern Nevada Health District serves as the local public health authority for Clark County, Boulder City, Henderson, Las Vegas, Mesquite and North Las Vegas. The agency safeguards the public health of the community’s residents and visitors through innovative programs, regulations, and initiatives focused on protecting and promoting their health and well-being. More information about the Health District, its programs, services, and the regulatory oversight it provides is available at www.SNHD.info. Follow the Health District on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.