Southern Nevada Health District Awarded $2,650,555 to Drive Down Chronic Diseases in Clark County
New program will help create healthier communities in the U.S.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
September 25, 2014
LAS VEGAS – Today the Southern Nevada Health District was awarded a grant of $2,650,555 to address tobacco use and exposure; poor nutrition; physical inactivity; and lack of access to chronic disease prevention, risk reduction and management opportunities in Clark County.
The Partnerships to Improve Community Health (PICH) awards are part of a U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) initiative to support public health efforts to reduce chronic diseases, promote healthier lifestyles, reduce health disparities, and control health care spending. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will administer the grants, which will run for 3 years, subject to availability of funds.
Overall, HHS awarded $50.3 million in new grant awards to 39 local health agencies. PICH is the newest generation in CDC’s long history of community efforts to create and strengthen healthy environments that make it easier for people to make healthy choices and take charge of their health.
Governmental agencies and nongovernmental organizations will work through multi-sector community coalitions to reduce tobacco use and exposure to secondhand smoke, improve nutrition, increase physical activity, and improve access to programs for preventing and managing chronic diseases. Projects will serve large cities and urban counties, small cities and counties, and American Indian tribes.
“This is a tremendous opportunity for the Health District and our partners to increase our community’s access to smoke-free and tobacco-free environments, healthier food and beverage options, and physical activity opportunities in order to reduce the toll of chronic disease in Clark County,” said Dr. Cassius Lockett, director of community health for the district.
Specifically, the work that health district staff and partners will be doing includes employing evidence and population-based strategies to address modifiable health risk behaviors.
“The cost of managing chronic diseases in Nevada is $4.063 billion and growing,” said Dr. Joe Iser, Chief Health Officer of the Southern Nevada Health District. “In this country, chronic diseases such as heart disease, cancer, and diabetes are the leading causes of death, disability, and health care costs, accounting for 7 of 10 deaths among Americans each year, and more than 80 percent of the $2.7 trillion our nation spends annually on medical care.”
To learn more about the health district’s chronic disease and health promotion effort’s visit: www.GetHealthyClarkCounty.org.
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.