Mission

The mission of the health district is, “To assess, protect, and promote the health, the environment, and the well-being of Southern Nevada communities, residents, and visitors.”

To this end, the health district offers services and provides regulatory supervision that impact the public every day – from the food they eat and the water they drink, to the public establishments they visit, the businesses they operate and the requirements they must meet in order to work in certain industries such as food service and child care.

History

The Southern Nevada Health District was created in 1962, following statutory authorization from the Nevada State Legislature to combine the county health department and the health departments of several surrounding cities. Pursuant to Nevada Revised Statute (NRS) Chapter 439 the Health District’s powers and jurisdictions are as follows:

1. Prevent and control nuisances;

2. Regulate sanitation and sanitary practices in the interests of the public health;

3. Provide for the sanitary protection of water and food supplies;

4. Protect and promote the public health generally in the geographical area subject to the jurisdiction of the health district; and

5. Improve the quality of health care services for members of minority groups and medically underserved populations.

At the time of its creation, the Health district had approximately 30 employees, including four sanitarians who inspected 800 eating and drinking establishments. The Health District currently employs approximately 500 staff members working in its four divisions.

Today, the Southern Nevada Health District is one of the largest local public health organizations in the United States. The Health District serves more than 2.3 million residents, which represents 73 percent of Nevada’s total population. Additionally, the Health District is charged with safeguarding the public health of more than 38 million visitors to Las Vegas each year.

Administration

The departments and offices that provide administrative functions, guidance and oversight for the Health District include Communications, Facilities, Finance, Human Resources, Information Technology, and Legal. These management services provided also include strategic planning oversight, risk management and compliance activities.

Community Health

Community Health programs include Chronic Disease and Health Promotion, Emergency Medical Services and Trauma system; Health Cards, Health Equity, Public Health and Clinical Laboratories; Public Health Preparedness and Vital Records. The Community Health Division’s mission is to monitor and improve community health status; assure readiness and response to public health emergencies, and promote healthy behaviors. This is accomplished through a comprehensive prevention and advocacy program designed to reduce the negative health and economic impact of chronic diseases; the use of epidemiological methods to monitor and control communicable diseases, and proactive disaster and emergency preparation.

Disease Surveillance and Control

The Disease Surveillance and Control Division is responsible for the surveillance and response of more than 70 communicable diseases and conditions in Clark County, Nevada and includes three programs: The Office of Disease Surveillance, Acute Communicable Disease Control, Office of Informatics and Epidemiology. These three programs are relied on by the Southern Nevada communities in Clark County to accurately monitor and respond to communicable diseases, reducing the transmission of and controlling the spread of infectious diseases.

Environmental Health

Environmental Health oversees plan review and inspection programs involving food and beverage establishments, public accommodations, subdivisions, child care facilities, tattoo and body piercing facilities, swimming pools, public water systems, septic and underground storage tanks and solid waste facilities. Its mission is to identify and sustain environmental conditions that promote public health through proper sanitation, safe food, proper disposal of wastes and toxic materials, and the management of public health hazards in the environment.

Primary and Preventive Care

The Primary and Preventive Care (PPC) division provides public health and clinical services to clients. PPC services are available at several locations throughout the Clark County, Nevada. Many services are provided regardless of a client’s ability to pay. Its mission is to improve and protect the health of residents and visitors through the practice of community nursing, preventive health services, education, and emergency preparedness and response.

As a critical part of its mission, PPC operates an immunization program that includes both children and adult vaccinations, tuberculosis treatment and control services, and maternal-child health programs.

Southern Nevada Community Health Center

The Southern Nevada Community Health Center is a Federally Qualified Health Center with a mission to service residents in underserved areas of Clark County with appropriate and comprehensive outpatient health and wellness services, emphasizing prevention and education in a culturally respectful environment.

Services provided include primary care, family planning, HIV/AIDS care services, sexual health services, behavioral and mental health services, and more.

Revenues

Information about health district funding is available on the Financial Reports webpage.