Carson City, NV October 04, 2023
The Nevada Division of Public and Behavioral Health (DPBH) is pleased to announce the completion of the 2022 State Health Assessment (SHA), a comprehensive overview of the health status of Nevada residents.
The SHA offers an in-depth analysis of the state’s health-related challenges and strengths, along with a range of resources aimed at enhancing health outcomes and reducing disparities in Nevada. The document was developed through extensive collaboration with numerous organizations and individuals.
Key health priorities that have emerged from this assessment encompass:
• Access to health care
• Chronic diseases
• Mental health and substance use
• Public health infrastructure
• Social determinants of health (such as air quality, food security, housing, income, and transportation)
The SHA also points out the existence of significant health disparities that result from long-standing issues such as systemic racism, which impact access to resources and opportunities that are crucial for well-being.
The SHA compiles and analyzes crucial health-related data from state and national sources, local community health assessments, a comprehensive statewide survey, and input gathered through listening sessions involving residents from across the state. During these sessions, Nevada residents consistently raised concerns about:
• Difficulty accessing necessary health care
• Extended wait times for health care services
• Heightened apprehensions linked to substance abuse and mental health challenges, particularly in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic
• Barriers to obtaining behavioral health services
• The lack of affordable housing and support for low-income households
• Limited access to healthy food
DPBH is reviewing and addressing the needs identified in the SHA, including through the development of Nevada’s inaugural State Health Improvement Plan. This plan will serve as a roadmap for state, local, and community partners to collaboratively enhance the health of all Nevada communities.