Southern Nevada Health District selected for Alzheimer’s Association Healthy Brain Initiative
Program aims to strengthen community response to dementia and brain health
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
February 17, 2026
LAS VEGAS — The Southern Nevada Health District has been selected by the Alzheimer’s Association to participate in a national initiative designed to help communities better understand, prevent and respond to Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. The Health District is one of only 16 local health departments and tribal health organizations nationwide selected through a competitive application process.
The selection places the Health District in the 2026 cohort of the Alzheimer’s Association’s Healthy Brain Initiative Road Map Strategist and Champion Programs. Over the past four years, the programs have supported more than 50 health departments and tribal organizations nationwide. Southern Nevada now joins a small group of communities working to bring brain health and dementia beyond the doctor’s office and into everyday public health practice—similar to long-standing efforts focused on heart disease, diabetes and cancer.
“This initiative helps us look at brain health the same way we look at heart health or diabetes, as something we can work on together as a community,” said Dr. Cassius Lockett, District Health Officer for the Southern Nevada Health District. “Participating in this program allows us to raise awareness, reduce stigma around dementia, and connect people with reliable information and support.”
The program provides funding, training and technical assistance to help health departments address dementia at the community level. Over the next year, the Health District will focus on building partnerships, increasing public awareness, and developing local strategies that support brain health across Southern Nevada.
What this means
According to the Alzheimer’s Association, an estimated 10.9% of adults 65 and older in Clark County—approximately 39,300 people—are living with Alzheimer’s disease. Alzheimer’s and other dementias affect not only individuals and families, but entire communities. As the population ages, more Southern Nevada residents are experiencing memory loss, confusion and other cognitive challenges, while thousands of family members and friends provide care.
The Healthy Brain Initiative treats dementia as a public health issue, not solely a medical one. This approach emphasizes prevention, education, early detection and support systems, long before someone requires full-time care.
Through the initiative, the Health District will work to:
- Help residents understand what brain health is and why it matters
- Promote behaviors that may reduce the risk of cognitive decline, such as managing chronic conditions, staying socially connected and maintaining physical activity
- Improve access to information about dementia and available community resources
- Support caregivers, who often experience stress, burnout and health challenges of their own
- Strengthen coordination among health care providers, community organizations and local leaders
Rather than applying a one-size-fits-all approach, the initiative emphasizes community-driven strategies, allowing the Health District to tailor efforts to the unique needs, cultures and demographics of Southern Nevada.
A national effort with local impact
Participating organizations designate a public health professional to serve as a Strategist or Champion, leading local efforts to integrate dementia into public health planning. These leaders assess community needs, build partnerships and develop action plans using the Alzheimer’s Association’s Healthy Brain Initiative Road Map Series, a nationally recognized framework for addressing brain health and dementia.
For Southern Nevada, this means aligning local data, existing programs and community input to better prepare for the growing impact of dementia, particularly as the region’s older adult population continues to increase.
Why this matters for Southern Nevada
By participating in the Healthy Brain Initiative, the Health District aims to:
- Increase public awareness so residents recognize when memory changes may be a cause for concern
- Reduce stigma surrounding dementia and cognitive impairment
- Encourage earlier conversations among patients, families and health care providers
- Improve coordination among agencies serving older adults and caregivers
This work also helps ensure dementia-related planning is integrated into broader public health efforts—from emergency preparedness to chronic disease prevention—rather than addressed in isolation.
Additional information about Alzheimer’s and dementia is available at Alzheimer’s and dementia | National Institute on Aging.
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.