Health District debuts healthy aging and green restaurant initiatives

Inaugural State of the Health District offers preview of new programs and  highlights agency accomplishments

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
July 18, 2019

LAS VEGAS — The Southern Nevada Health District hosted its first State of the Health District on Thursday to provide the public and stakeholders with highlights of agency accomplishments, an overview of the Community Health Needs Assessment developed in partnership with Dignity Health – St. Rose Dominican, and a preview of new initiatives planned for the upcoming fiscal year.

“The inaugural State of the Health District was an opportunity to celebrate our accomplishments, the hard work and dedication of our staff, and to recognize our community partners for their contributions,” said Dr. Joe Iser, Chief Health Officer for the Health District. “With our committed workforce and partners, I am confident we will continue to successfully meet the public health challenges and issues facing our community.”

One public health issue facing Southern Nevada is an aging population. Adults aged 65 and older in Clark County are the only age group that is projected to increase its proportion among the total population. From 2013 to 2017, the top 10 leading causes of death among Clark County residents 65 years and older were: heart disease; cancer; chronic lower respiratory disease; stroke; Alzheimer’s disease; influenza and pneumonia; unintentional injury; diabetes; kidney disease; and Parkinson’s disease. Older adults have unique health concerns and to ensure this fast-growing segment of the population has the support needed to continue leading healthy, productive, and active lives, the Health District reviewed healthy aging models and frameworks from across the country in its efforts to design a comprehensive initiative that meets the unique local conditions of Southern Nevadans.

In developing its healthy aging framework, the Health District identified four goals and related priorities:

1. Reduce health disparities for older adults in Clark County.
2. Empower Clark County older adults to engage in health-related education and activities.
3. Provide clinical and community-based preventive services to Clark County older adults.
4. Create healthy and safe community environments for older adults in Clark County.

More information on the Health District’s healthy aging initiative is available on the Health District website.

The second initiative, Putting Green on the Menu, is a voluntary program for food facilities. This green restaurant initiative will be rolled out in two phases. The first phase is designed to encourage restaurants to adopt environmentally-friendly practices and to recognize those that do. Eight criteria have been developed for the first phase of Putting Green on the Menu. A restaurant meeting five of the eight standards can complete an electronic form that will be made available by the Health District. The Health District will maintain a list of self-reported food facilities that meet the criteria on a special section of its website for the public to access. This program will not be affiliated with the Health District’s regulatory programs.

“Putting Green on the Menu is a positive way to recognize facilities that are proactively going that extra step to improve the environment,” said Dr. Iser.

In addition to these initiatives, Health District division directors provided highlights of their programs, and the Community Health Needs Assessment was presented. The full presentations and a copy of the Community Health Needs Assessment are available on the Health District’s State of the Health District webpage.

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.