What does it take to be a Public Health Hero? Every year, the Southern Nevada Health District recognizes individuals or organizations whose actions have served to improve the health status of the community. This year, Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) volunteers Maria Soto-Henry and Michael Slonina, and Clark County Code Enforcement’s Lt. Dave Pollex were honored.
An Immunizations & Health Fair to commemorate National Infant Immunization Week (NIIW). Immunizations will be available for both children and adults during Baby Fest. Low-cost or free immunizations will be available for infants and children who qualify.
In 2017, Clark County ranked first in the nation for rates of primary and secondary syphilis and second for rates of congenital syphilis. Cases of congenital syphilis have been steadily increasing at an alarming rate in Clark County. In 2016, there were nine reported cases, in 2017 there were 20 cases, and in 2018 there were 24 cases of congenital syphilis in Clark County.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is reporting 465 cases of measles in 19 states so far this year. This is the second-greatest number of cases reported in the United States since measles was eliminated in 2000. The Southern Nevada Health District reported two confirmed cases of measles in Clark County the last six months. The CDC is urging people to protect themselves before traveling, especially to international destinations.
The Southern Nevada Health District has tested 187 individuals as part of its contact investigation related to a person diagnosed with active TB disease who was at Durango High School while potentially infectious.
Clark County ranks 8th healthiest in Nevada according to the annual County Health rankings, up from 10th in last year’s ranking. The County Health Rankings are released each year by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute (UWPHI). The full rankings are available at www.countyhealthrankings.org.
An investigation by the Southern Nevada Health District has confirmed an internationally imported case of measles in Clark County. The patient is an international visitor and the potential Las Vegas exposure occurred between Saturday, March 9 and Monday, March 11. The patient’s immunization status is unknown. The Health District is notifying individuals who might have had contact with this patient and will not be releasing any additional information about the patient.
The County Health Rankings measure the health of nearly all counties in the nation and rank them within states. The Rankings are compiled using county-level measures from a variety of national and state data sources and then standardized using scientifically-informed weights.
The Southern Nevada Health District, the Clark County School District (CCSD), and the WNBA’s Las Vegas Aces are launching a new program called the Slam Dunk Health Challenge to encourage students to eat healthy and participate in physical activity. The Slam Dunk Health Challenge kicks off in February.
Heart disease remains the leading cause of death for men and women in the United States. During American Heart Month, the Southern Nevada Health District encourages Southern Nevadans to work with their health care providers to learn about their heart disease risk factors and the ABCS of heart disease.
National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day is observed each year on February 7 to increase testing and treatment among black communities. This year the Southern Nevada Health District will commemorate the day by offering free Express Testing for HIV, syphilis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia at its Sexual Health Clinic between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m.
As the state of Washington declares an emergency in response to an outbreak of measles, the Southern Nevada Health District is urging everyone to ensure they and their children are appropriately immunized.
The Southern Nevada Health District is reporting the 2018-2019 season's first flu-related deaths. One of the reported deaths occurred in a child in the 0-4 age group. The two adult patients who died were in the 50-64 age group.
The Southern Nevada Health District has confirmed an internationally imported case of measles in Southern Nevada. This is the first confirmed case of measles in Clark County since 2015. The patient is a previously vaccinated adult with a history of international travel. Appropriate testing confirmed the case on Monday, Dec. 24. The Health District is notifying individuals who might have had contact with this patient and will not be releasing any additional information about the patient.
Nevada ranks 39th nationwide in funding programs that prevent kids from using tobacco and help smokers quit, according to a report released today by leading public health groups.
Today, the Southern Nevada Health District issued a call-to-action to community partners and health care providers to implement HIV/AIDS interventions and strategies to achieve the goal of 90-90-90 in Nevada.
The Southern Nevada Health District is issuing a call-to-action to community partners and health care providers to implement interventions and strategies to achieve 90-90-90 in Nevada.
The demand for flu vaccine typically decreases after the end of November, and National Influenza Vaccination Week, scheduled for December 2-8, highlights the importance of continuing flu vaccination throughout the holiday season and beyond.
In observance of the 30th World AIDS Day, the Southern Nevada Health District will offer free Express Testing for HIV, syphilis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia at its Sexual Health Clinic on Friday, Nov. 30 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. on a first come, first served basis; appointments are not necessary.
On Thursday, Nov. 15 many smokers will pledge to go smoke-free, even if it’s just for one day. The Great American Smokeout has provided an opportunity for smokers to commit to leading healthier lives for more than 40 years, and the Southern Nevada Health District has cessation resources, tools, and information to support them in their journey. The Great American Smokeout is an opportunity for smokers to kick the habit for at least one day with the hope that it could lead to a permanent change. The Health District encourages tobacco users to take up the one-day challenge that can lead to a long-term plan to quit for good. The Health District’s GetHealthyClarkCounty.org website has cessation resources as well as information about tobacco products, smoke-free living, and smoke-free meeting spaces.
In the United States, approximately 84 million people have prediabetes, and nine out of 10 of them do not know it. Prediabetes increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. During American Diabetes Month, the Southern Nevada Health District encourages everyone to take the prediabetes risk test, speak with a health care provider about their risks of developing the disease, and take steps to reverse prediabetes. The Health District and its community partners offer education, self-management classes, and support for people with diabetes and their families as well as programs that can help people lower their risk of developing type 2 diabetes. For more information about available resources, visit the Health District's Get Healthy Clark County website or its Spanish-language site Viva Saludable.
The Southern Nevada Health District is reporting that illegal dumping complaints increased by 28 percent in Clark County from 2016 to 2017. Complaints of material that have been illegally disposed of include trash, sewage, and hazardous material waste. In 2016, the Health District received 1,223 illegal dumping complaints, in 2017 the number of complaints increased to 1,575, and in 2018 the number of calls, emails, and information received through the Health District’s website has continued to increase.
On Friday, Nov. 2 and Saturday, Nov. 3, teams from the Southern Nevada Health District will begin interviewing household members in Las Vegas about how extreme heat impacts them and their families. 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 understand how extreme heat affects Clark County residents and how local response agencies and Southern Nevadans can better prepare for such events. In 2017, the Health District reported 123 heat-related deaths among Clark County residents.
The Southern Nevada Health District received notification from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirming the first case of Acute Flaccid Myelitis (AFM) in a child in Clark County. The Health District will not be releasing identifying information related to individual cases of illness.
The Solid Waste Hearing Officer, under authority granted in Nevada Revised Statute (NRS) 444.629, conducts monthly hearings to settle cases involving illegal dumping and other solid waste matters.
The Southern Nevada Health District and the Southern Nevada HIV Awareness Consortium will offer rapid HIV screenings, syphilis testing, and additional health services on Saturday, October 13 to commemorate National Latinx AIDS Awareness Day. In the United States, Hispanics/Latinos accounted for approximately 26 percent of new HIV diagnoses in 2016 although they are only approximately 18 percent of the population. The testing event will take place from 1 p.m. – 5 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 13 at Bonanza Plaza, 4250 E. Bonanza Rd., Las Vegas, NV. For more information, contact Rosita Castillo, Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains, Inc., (702) 239-6217.
In commemoration of World Environmental Health Day, the Southern Nevada Health District is hosting its second Environmental Health Expo on Wednesday, Sept. 26. The public is invited to the Health District's main location at 280 S. Decatur Blvd. from 10:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. to learn more about environmental health programs, participate in hands-on demonstrations, view exhibits, and much more. Health District staff and partners will provide information about their role in keeping the community healthy at this free, family-friendly event.
If it's not too early to order a pumpkin spice latte, then it's not too early to protect yourself and your family from the flu! The beginning of fall means that flu season is just around the corner, and the Southern Nevada Health District is offering the injectable quadrivalent (four-strain) flu vaccine as well as the high-dose vaccine for people age 65 and older at its public health centers. Cost of the flu vaccine is covered by most insurance with no copay. For more information, visit the Immunization Program's Flu Vaccine Clinic page or call the clinic at (702) 759-0850.
Dave Sheehan Public Information Officer (702) 759-1393 sheehan@snhd.org Jennifer Sizemore Chief Communications Officer (702) 759-1225 sizemore@snhd.org [...]
Communities Putting Prevention to Work Media Kit
The Solid Waste Hearing Officer, under authority granted in Nevada Revised Statute (NRS) 444.629, conducts monthly hearings to settle cases involving illegal dumping and other solid waste matters. At the September 13, 2018 hearing, the following cases were adjudicated:
The Southern Nevada Health District is hosting an Environmental Health Expo in celebration of World Environmental Health Day. This year's theme, Global Food Safety and Sustainability, highlights how providing safer food and water can raise a community's public health status and maximize environmental health benefits.
Back to school crunch time is officially here, and the Southern Nevada Health District is encouraging parents and guardians to bring their preschoolers, kindergartners, and 7th graders for mandatory vaccinations to one of its public health clinics.
LAS VEGAS – Now that school is in session, the Southern Nevada Health District encourages parents to re-establish healthy routines for their kids. With online tips and tools, parents can learn about Safe Routes to school, prepare healthier school day breakfasts and lunches, and search for walking trails for the whole family. Visit Get healthy Clark County, www.GetHealthyClarkCounty.org for information.
