FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
June 17, 2022

LAS VEGAS — On Saturday, June 18, teams from the Southern Nevada Health District will begin interviewing household members in Clark County to assess their access to COVID-19 testing services and resources and provide feedback to response staff and partners on the status of current efforts to inform and educate the community so that corrective actions can be implemented. These neighborhood surveys are part of the Community Assessment for Public Health Emergency Response (CASPER) technique to gather information to assist in emergency planning and response efforts. The goal of this CASPER survey is to gain a greater understanding of the access Clark County residents had to COVID-19 services and resources, particularly those who were disproportionately impacted by the pandemic.

Survey team members will be going door-to-door between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. on Saturday, June 18, in 30 census blocks selected throughout Clark County. Participation is voluntary, and the interviews are confidential. Team members will not ask for names or other identifying information. The questions will ask about the experiences accessing COVID-19 resources and finding information. Gaining a better understanding of the perceptions and experiences of the people in these communities will assist the Health District and its partner response agencies in enhancing response plans, communication activities, education materials and the services it ultimately provides to the public.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), CASPER is a type of Rapid Needs Assessment that provides public health leaders and emergency managers with household-level information that can be used to initiate public health action, identify information gaps and facilitate disaster planning and assess new or changing needs in a community. The tool is designed to provide accurate and timely data to help prioritize responses and make informed decisions regarding the distribution of resource in an emergency. For more information visit the CDC’s Community Assessment for Public Health Emergency Response (CASPER) page.

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.