April is National Minority Health Month

Spotlight is on health disparities among minority groups

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
April 11, 2023

LAS VEGAS — April is National Minority Health Month, calling attention to health disparities that affect people from racial and ethnic minority groups. It is also a time to encourage action through health education, early detection and control of disease complications. The theme for 2023 is “Better Health Through Better Understanding.”

Racial and ethnic minorities face the greatest health disparities in the United States. District Health Officer Dr. Fermin Leguen said, “Minority Health Month is a time to reflect on our ever-present responsibility to understand health care barriers that disproportionately affect minorities. We must also continue efforts to support better health outcomes and create a more culturally responsive environment.”

The Southern Nevada Health District (SNHD) continues to offer quality and affordable care options to underserved people in our community, such as the Fremont Public Health Center, located at 2830 E. Fremont St., Las Vegas, NV 89104. The clinic is a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) offering primary medical care, family planning services, HIV/AIDS care, and behavioral health services. Other SNHD services, programs and resources that focus on increasing health equity include:

• Diabetes Prevention and Self-Management Program – offering free diabetes self-management, education and support classes in Spanish
• Barbershop Health Outreach Program – offering free blood pressure and prediabetes screenings, education and referrals to health care providers as needed
• Faithful Families Classes – classes in healthy eating and physical activity, provided in Spanish
• Grocery Store Tours – led by a registered dietitian, helping people learn how to shop healthier
• Viva Saludable Website – information on a variety of health topics provided in Spanish
• Spanish-Language social media sites – Instagram: vivasaludablesnv; Facebook: Viva Saludable
• Healthier Tomorrow Radio Program – a monthly call-in show focusing on health topics of concern to the African American community
• Because We Matter – a smoking and vaping prevention initiative for African Americans
• Por mi. Por ti. Por nosotros. Viva saludable! – an initiative to encourage Hispanic/Latinos to quit smoking and vaping
• Island eNVy – supporting healthy lifestyles through education and engagement with Native Hawaiians and the Pacific Islander community in Southern Nevada
• CRUSH – supporting the LGBTQ+ community to quit smoking and vaping

SNHD also partners with All Saints Episcopal Church to provide Sexual Health Clinic services at the church. Located at 4201 W. Washington Ave., Las Vegas, NV 89107, the clinic provides a safe, welcoming and non-traditional location for the community to seek screening, treatment and preventive sexual health services.

Health organizations use the Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services (CLAS) standards to serve as a blueprint to help better the quality of services provided to all individuals, advance health equity and help eliminate health care disparities. Last fall, all SNHD community health center staff members completed a CLAS standards survey to ensure they are actively finding ways to increase access to health care and offer services that are culturally responsive to our diverse community.

The clinics currently offer the following services to clients:

• Bilingual staff members certified to provide interpretation services (Spanish and Swahili)
• Interpreting services
• UBI DUO machine used for clients who are deaf or hard of hearing
• Materials translated in Spanish and English
• Case management, care coordination and insurance enrollment and eligibility assistance
• Transportation assistance

In addition, the clinics continually explore other ways to best serve clients, improve clinical quality, reduce access disparities, and achieve health equity.

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.