New report outlines public health goals for Clark County

Health Equity Status Report highlights factors that influence health outcomes

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
May 13, 2024

LAS VEGAS – The Southern Nevada Health District (SNHD) released its inaugural Health Equity Status Report, focusing on key health indicators in terms of economic stability; economic access and quality; and health care access and quality. The report outlines social determinants of health (SDOH), and how they relate to Clark County and Healthy People 2030 targets. Healthy People 2030 is a 10-year plan for that identifies public health priorities to help individuals, organizations, and communities across the United States improve health and well-being.

The report, available on the HealthySouthernNevada.org website, uses demographic data to inform community members and organizations about key health indicators affecting Southern Nevadans. In doing so, SNHD aims to empower residents to better understand local health issues and strategic plans SNHD is creating to implement them.

Health equity is achieved when everyone has a fair and just opportunity to attain their highest level of health. While Clark County as a whole is below national and state percentages for many health measures, there are stark differences in health outcomes by location and population groups. For example, there was over a 40% difference in 8th grade math proficiency by race, and of the nine health indicators covered by race and ethnicity, Black/African American, American Indian/Alaska Native, and Hispanic/Latino individuals consistently experienced less favorable outcomes. In addition, residents of the northwest metropolitan area as well as those living in rural areas had higher rates of health burden, including income inequality.

District Health Officer Dr. Fermin Leguen said, “At the Health District, we deliver programs and health care services that are designed to eliminate barriers people may face to accessing services and resources, but we also work to address the root causes of health disparities through policy change.”

As the report indicates, Nevada and Clark County tend to rank below national averages on indicators related to the economy, education and health care access. The report details why those issues are important, while explaining potential causes of health inequities in Clark County.

Economy

Nevada ranks 30th in economy size and 50th in the employment rate among states. Healthy People 2030 has set goals of increasing employment among working age people, reducing the number of young people not in school or working and reducing the proportion of people living in poverty. One goal of the plan is to reduce the proportion of people living in poverty in Clark County from 10.1% to 8.0% by 2030.

Schools

Education access and quality is also a priority of Healthy People 2030 and includes raising the proportion of high school students who graduate in four years and increasing 4th and 8th grade reading and math abilities. Nevada ranks 38th for K-12 education and 46th for pre-K education. The percentage of high school students who graduate in four years has a Healthy People 2030 target of 90.7%. Clark County lags behind at 81.3%.

Health care access

Nevada is ranked #31 nationally for health care. This ranking incorporates indicators such as Nevada being 18th for health care quality but 44th for health care access. In Clark County, 83% of adults have health insurance. Women have slightly higher proportions at 85% with insurance, compared to men at 81%. The rates for American Indian/Alaska Native, Hispanic/Latino and other races are below 75%. The percentage of adults in Clark County who have had a routine checkup is 70.4%, compared to the national rate of 73.6%.

Amid the challenges in achieving health goals, Southern Nevada remains resilient and is making strides toward improving health outcomes. The community organizations highlighted in the Health Equity Status Report are helping to lead the way in improving the health and well-being of Clark County residents in the realms of the economy, education and health care access. These efforts are aimed at meeting the Healthy People 2030 targets within the next six years.

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.