FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
November 16, 2021
LAS VEGAS – The Southern Nevada Health District and its partners in the COVID-19 Outreach and Education Project received a $5,518,801 grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to address COVID-19 health disparities in the community. The grant program began in June 2021 and continues through May 2023.
Activities will include outreach to communities at high risk for COVID-19 infection and underserved racial and ethnic minority populations. In Clark County, COVID-19 continues to impact minority communities with higher infection rates and lower vaccination rates. Outreach activities will include testing, educational, and vaccination events. In addition, targeted social media campaigns will be included to reach specific segments of the community.
As of November 16, the Health District reported 338,693 COVID-19 cases in Clark County. Countywide, Hispanic residents have been infected with COVID-19 at a rate 1.5 times higher than the rate of White residents (13,571 per 100,000 cases vs. 8,757.3), Black residents have been infected with COVID-19 at a rate 1.3 times higher than the rate of White residents (11,718 per 100,000 vs. 8,757.3) and Asian/Pacific Islander residents have been infected with COVID-19 at a rate 1.1 times higher than the rate of White residents (9,353 cases per 100,000 vs. 8,757.3). With regard to vaccination rates, Black residents lag behind other members of the community with just 40 percent who have initiated vaccination.
The Health District will be working with 11 partners, including:
- Al-Maun Neighborly Needs of Las Vegas
- Clark County Law Foundation
- Ericka Aviles Consulting
- Horizon Ridge Wellness Clinic
- Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV
- Nevada Health Centers
- Nevada Homeless Alliance
- Nevada Partners
- Periwinkle Group
- Puentes
- Silver State Equality
“We are excited to have this funding and to be able to work more closely with our partners as we continue to make inroads into underserved communities to offer testing and vaccinations. The partners that have been brought together represent different constituencies and working with them will really help us make an impact,” said Dr. Fermin Leguen, District Health Officer for the Southern Nevada Health District. “The COVID-19 pandemic continues to highlight health disparities across the country and here in Clark County. This effort will help us provide access to testing and vaccines, and especially provide trusted information sources to the community to help address vaccine-related questions to fight hesitancy about getting vaccinated.”
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.