Health District offers tips for keeping health-focused New Year’s resolutions

Programs and classes can help people manage diabetes, quit smoking and improve heart health

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
January 16, 2024

LAS VEGAS – As 2024 gets underway, it’s common for people to make resolutions to improve their lives in one way or another. Against that backdrop, however, is the reality that many people may face challenges and obstacles that can test their resolve just weeks into the new year. The Southern Nevada Health District (SNHD) has resources to help people overcome those obstacles.

According to District Health Officer Dr. Fermin Leguen, the new year feels like a new beginning, which is why people are inclined to set ambitious goals. He added, however, that some people with good intentions may set big, unachievable goals. “It’s helpful to be realistic about your expectations. We also suggest you stay away from vague, ambiguous goals and focus on something specific and achievable. To that end, our Office of Chronic Disease and Health Promotion offers programs and resources to help you stay on track.”

Surveys have shown that typical New Year’s resolutions routinely include losing weight, eating more nutritious foods, increasing physical activity and quitting smoking. For many people with potentially serious health conditions, these activities can support an overarching health and wellness plan.

Managing Diabetes

People with diabetes or prediabetes who want to improve their health in 2024 are invited to sign up for SNHD’s nationally recognized diabetes self-management classes. The classes resume January 24 and are offered at no cost.

More than 37 million Americans have diabetes, the eighth leading cause of death in the U.S. and the primary cause of kidney failure, lower limb amputations and blindness. People with diabetes also face a higher risk of developing serious complications from flu and COVID-19.

Approximately 269,783 people in Nevada, or nearly 11.1% of the adult population, have been diagnosed with diabetes. An additional 70,000 people in Nevada have the disease but don’t know it, greatly increasing their health risks. An estimated 18,749 Nevada residents are diagnosed with diabetes every year.

Self-management classes, online programs and resources, available in English and Spanish, can be accessed on the Get Healthy Clark County and Via Saludable|Diabetes websites or by calling (702) 759-1270. To be placed on the waiting list for self-management classes, complete the online Get Healthy Clark County Diabetes Workshop Interest Form or visit the Viva Saludable website.

Heart Health

Starting January 22, SNHD is hosting With Every Heartbeat is Life, a heart-healthy lifestyle program developed by the National Institutes of Health. Featuring fun and educational sessions about preventing heart disease, the program runs six weeks, twice a week, at Heinrich YMCA, 4141 Meadows Lane, Las Vegas, NV 89107. For more information, or to register, call (702) 877-9622.

The Get Healthy Clark County activity calendars are available in English and Spanish at https://gethealthyclarkcounty.org/community-calendar/ and https://www.vivasaludable.org/calendario/.

Smoking Cessation

Smoking is the single largest preventable cause of death and illness in the world, and quitting the habit often holds a top spot among New Year’s resolutions. SNHD offers the following tips for becoming smoke-free:

1. Select a specific date for quitting.
2. Enlist support from family, friends and loved ones. Tell them your plan.
3. Adopt new behaviors to replace the ones associated with smoking.
4. Look into FDA-approved medication and nicotine replacement therapy.
5. Don’t give up if you relapse. Celebrate your successes along the way.

SNHD urges people who wish to live smoke-free to call the Nevada Tobacco Quitline at 1-800-QUIT NOW (1-800-784-8669) or text QUITNOW to 333888 for free and confidential one-on-one coaching on how to quit. Also, the Nevada Tobacco Quitline offers free Nicotine Replacement Therapies (NRT) like patches, gums and lozenges for those who qualify. People can get additional information by visiting the Get Healthy website.

On January 31, SNHD will host the Tobacco-Free Living Summit, focusing on the harmful impact of tobacco on the Black community. Community leaders will discuss topics including:

• The impacts of menthol and tobacco flavoring marketing on Black Americans
• Smoking and genetics
• The tobacco and cannabis link

The summit will take place from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. at the Pearson Community Center, 1625 West Carey, Las Vegas, NV 89106, with a networking lunch to follow the event from 1 – 2 p.m. To register, visit Register – Free Wellness Event (google.com). For more details, visit www.becausewematterlv.org.

Additional resources include GetHealthyClarkCounty.org, an interactive, user-friendly site that provides easy access to a variety of tips, tools and no-cost programs to help users improve their health. The site can be a springboard for people looking to improve their lifestyle.

People looking for inspiration to increase their steps can access the Walk Around Nevada program on the Get Healthy site. The online program helps people reach their activity goals by tracking their daily physical activities on a virtual journey across the state. Similarly, the Neon to Nature mobile app encourages people to be active on the valley’s trails. This program highlights over 1,000 miles of trails, providing maps, trail information, amenities and photos.

Good nutrition provides fuel for active, healthy lifestyles. The Nutrition Challenge is a free, eight-week, online program to help people increase their intake of fruits and vegetables each day. The Get Healthy website also provides useful information on where to find local farmers markets that accept SNAP benefits. It also shows individuals how to reduce sodium in their diet and limit sugary beverages.

Maria Azzarelli, Chronic Disease and Health Promotion Manager for SNHD, offers additional advice for staying the course with their healthy resolutions in 2024, emphasizing resolutions should be tangible and precise. “Instead of declaring that you will exercise more this year, try saying you will exercise twice a week for 10 weeks,” said Azzarelli. “Don’t take on too much. Pick one or two things to tackle and track your progress, and please take advantage of our office’s resources. We’re here to support you.”

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.