A Healthier Tomorrow Will Rucker

About the Guests:
Dr. Chris Mariano: Dr. Mariano is a pediatric nurse practitioner and the supervisor for the immunizations clinic at the Southern Nevada Health District. With over 21 years of nursing experience and a focus on pediatric care, Dr. Mariano has dedicated herself to public health for the past 13 years. Her passion is ensuring the health and wellness of children in Clark County by providing essential immunization services.

Carmen Hoy: Carmen is a health educator and the ChA chip coordinator for the Southern Nevada Health District in the Office of Disease Surveillance. She specializes in community health assessments and has been actively involved in multiple outreach programs and health initiatives aimed at improving community health.

Tamara Travis: Tamara is an epidemiologist with the Southern Nevada Health District, focusing on health equity and the study of disease spread. She is actively involved in analyzing health data to identify and tackle health disparities across different populations within Southern Nevada.

Episode Summary:
In this enlightening episode of "A Healthier Tomorrow," host Will Rucker, along with co-host Sierra, dives into the critical topic of back-to-school immunizations and community health assessments with esteemed guests from the Southern Nevada Health District. Pediatric nurse practitioner Dr. Chris Lane Mariano offers invaluable insights into the importance of immunizations for preventing diseases among school-aged children, the types of vaccines required, and tips for parents to ease the vaccination process for their kids.

Following Dr. Mariano's segment, health educators Carmen Hoy and Tamara Travis share their expertise on the 2025 Community Health Assessment, emphasizing the importance of community participation in the survey to identify and address healthcare needs in Clark County. They discuss how the data collected will influence the Community Health Improvement Plan and spotlight the ongoing efforts to include marginalized and underserved populations in their research.

These two sections of the episode provide a wealth of information on public health strategies, community engagement, and resource accessibility, making it a must-listen for anyone interested in the well-being of the Southern Nevada community.

Key Takeaways:


Importance of Immunizations: Dr. Chris Lane Mariano emphasizes that immunizations are crucial for preventing vaccine-preventable diseases such as diphtheria, tetanus, and hepatitis.



Community Engagement: Carmen Hoy and Tamara Travis urge the public to participate in the 2025 Community Health Assessment to shape the health priorities for Clark County over the next three to five years.



Accessible Healthcare: Southern Nevada Health District offers free vaccines to children, ensuring no one is turned away due to lack of insurance.



Collaboration: The episode highlights collaboration with multiple stakeholders including public health agencies, educational institutions, and community partners.



Health Equity: Special efforts are being made to reach out to underserved populations such as older adults, lgbt communities, and those experiencing housing instability.



Notable Quotes:


"Prevention is key. We have vaccine-preventable diseases, and these things shouldn’t be happening." - Dr. Chris Lane Mariano



"Your voice matters and your voice counts. Take the survey to see real change in the community." - Carmen Hoy



"If you take just five to ten minutes to take this survey, you are making a direct difference in your community for the next three to five years." - Tamara Travis



"We look at what’s happening in each family to ensure that every child gets vaccinated before they leave." - Dr. Chris Lane Mariano



"The Southern Nevada Health District cares about us. We don't just care about us as an entire region; we care about individual populations and individual people." - Will Rucker



Resources:


Southern Nevada Health District



Get He

In this compelling episode of Healthier Tomorrow, host Will Rucker, along with co-host Ciara Owens, dives into a myriad of pressing health issues facing the community. With their dynamic roster of guests, they explore the significance of secondhand smoke, men's mental health, cardiovascular health, and the importance of voting for community wellbeing.

Nelly Pelaez from the Southern Nevada Health District sheds light on secondhand smoke's risks, particularly in multi-unit housing, and emphasizes the importance of adopting smoke-free policies. The show also highlights the contributions of Amineh Harvey and the Barbershop Health Outreach Project, collaborating with Marcus Allen and Sylvester Obafunwa  from the Men's Room, to address critical men's health topics. From providing heart health education to fostering safe spaces for Black men to discuss mental health, this episode covers crucial initiatives aimed at improving overall health outcomes. Engaging conversations around the significance of preventive healthcare, the vital role of barbershops in the community, and actionable steps towards better health make this episode a must-listen.

Resources:

Southern Nevada Health District www.gethealthyClarkCounty.org

Nevada Tobacco Quitline: Call 1800 QUIT NOW (1-800-784-8669) 

Take control of your health and support community initiatives aimed at creating a healthier tomorrow. Tune in to the full episode for more insights and stay tuned for future episodes brimming with informative content and engaging discussions.

About the Guests:

Rayleen Earney is an experienced health educator at the Southern Nevada Health District, with a personal connection to the fight against diabetes. With 25 years at the health district, Rayleen brings both personal and professional expertise to the table, having witnessed the impact of diabetes within her family. She is passionate about teaching classes and providing resources to help people manage their condition and prevent the onset of type 2 diabetes.

Keiara Katz is an advocate and voice for individuals living with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Not a healthcare professional, Keiara speaks from her experience of being diagnosed with Relapsing-Remitting MS, the most common form of the disease. Despite being initially misdiagnosed, she has taken strides in learning about her condition and sharing her knowledge, resources, and personal journey with others.

Episode Summary:

In this empowering episode of "A Healthier Tomorrow," host Will Rucker provides a gripping educational experience on chronic diseases impacting our community, with discussions exploring diabetes and MS. These conversations aim to illuminate paths towards managing and understanding these significant health concerns.

Rayleen Earney from the Southern Nevada Health District sets the stage with a deep dive into diabetes prevention and management. She provides staggering statistics and meaningful insights, emphasizing the community's need for accessible health education and lifestyle modification to combat this growing epidemic. The focal points of her discussion include the increment in diabetes cases, indicators of prediabetes, and the critical community-based classes offered for those impacted. In tandem, Keiara Katz shares the compelling narrative of her MS journey, underscoring the challenges in diagnosis and offering invaluable resources for others on similar paths. This episode is a trove of information, merging personal testimonies with professional advice on chronic disease prevention.

Key Takeaways:


Approximately 37.3 million people have diabetes nationally, with an estimated 267,000 Nevadans affected by the disease.
Prediabetes can often be reversed through lifestyle changes, including healthier eating, increased physical activity, and weight management.
The Southern Nevada Health District provides free education and resources to help manage diabetes effectively, including interactive classes and personal goal-setting.
Keiara Katz's MS journey illustrates the complexity and the importance of proper diagnosis and specialized care.
Raising awareness and making informed health choices are crucial to improve quality of life for those dealing with chronic diseases like diabetes and MS.

Resources:


Southern Nevada Health District diabetes self-management classes: Call 702-759-1270 or email gethealthy@snhd.org.
National Nutrition Month tips: Visit www.gethealthyclarkcounty.org.
National Multiple Sclerosis Society: www.nationalmssociety.org.
Keiara Katz's Instagram profile for registration and walk event details: @thekatzway.

Engage with the full conversations to absorb the wealth of knowledge shared in this episode. For more enlightening discussions and life-altering insights, keep tuning in to "A Healthier Tomorrow."

 

About the Guests:

Brianna Barber is an influential figure within the YMCA of Southern Nevada, serving as its Executive Director. With over two decades of experience at the YMCA, Barber has dedicated her career to fostering community engagement, promoting accessible healthcare, and advocating for healthy living. Under her leadership, the YMCA has launched various initiatives that focus on chronic disease prevention, such as the blood pressure self-monitoring program designed to help manage hypertension, particularly among African-American communities.

Alisa Howard is a renowned public health advocate and co-host of the Healthier Tomorrow program. She is recognized for her efforts to address public health issues and her engagement in community-oriented initiatives. Alongside her radio engagements, Howard strives to elevate the conversation around chronic diseases and works towards a healthier and more informed community.

Andre Wade brings to the table his expertise as the State Director of Silver State Equality. He oversees both political and charitable work, striving to advance LGBTQ+ rights, ensure equal representation in political spheres, and enhance public health initiatives, such as HIV and COVID-19 awareness and prevention programs.

Episode Summary:

In the latest episode of "A Healthier Tomorrow," host Will Rucker expertly steers the conversation towards the critical topic of heart health, underlining its importance within African American communities. As the nation's leading cause of death, heart disease takes center stage in this dialogue, emphasizing the need for better health practices and education.

Brianna Barber's insights as the YMCA's Executive Director provide a window into the pivotal role of community service organizations in tackling this health crisis through programs such as blood pressure self-monitoring.

The discussion takes a deeper dive with Andre Wade, the State Director for Silver State Equality, who highlights the enduring battle against HIV/AIDS within the black community and the various efforts to combat stigma and misinformation. The episode is rigorous in its exploration of public health challenges and innovative in prescribing community-based solutions and interventions that align with the mission of the Southern Nevada Health District and the YMCA.

Key Takeaways:

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, with an increased risk among African Americans. The YMCA's blood pressure self-monitoring program offers a proactive approach to managing hypertension and improving heart health, particularly within marginalized communities. Silver State Equality, directed by Andre Wade, works tirelessly to advocate for the civil rights of the LGBTQ+ community and supports public health initiatives focused on HIV/AIDS. National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day serves as a platform to address the disproportionately high rates of HIV infections among African American women resulting from heterosexual contact. The importance of normalizing conversations around HIV testing and the significance of understanding that while HIV is a serious condition, it has become a more manageable chronic disease with proper treatment.

Tune in to the full episode for a comprehensive understanding of the challenges surrounding heart health and HIV/AIDS within African American communities, and stay connected for more illuminating content from "A Healthier Tomorrow."

About the Guests:

Mekale Holmes is a health professional from the Southern Nevada Health District dedicated to organizing and leading community health initiatives. With a focus on topics like tobacco use and its impact on the African American community, Holmes has been instrumental in planning important community events such as health summits and brings vast knowledge on public health issues.

Jose Melendez works at UNLV School of Public Health and serves as interim Chief Diversity Officer for UNLV. His significant involvement in community engagement and outreach is amplified through his role with the Nevada Minority Health and Equity Coalition, which strives to address health inequities across diverse communities. Episode

Summary:

In this episode of A Healthier Tomorrow, host Will Rucker, together with co-host Alisa Howard, delve into an array of topics that challenge and inspire thoughts on public health and community service. Intertwined with reflections on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s views on health inequality, this episode serves as a powerful testament to the ongoing struggles and efforts within health equity. Mekale Holmes elaborates on the upcoming Because We Matter Tobacco Free Living Summit, tasked with the mission of shedding light on the detriments of tobacco within the black community.

By discussing crucial conversations such as the relationship between tobacco and mental health, social justice, and marketing impact, the summit represents hopes to incite community involvement and awareness. The speakers collectively contribute a reservoir of knowledge to ensure that health initiatives resonate throughout the community. Jose Melendez highlights the work of the Nevada Minority Health and Equity Coalition, which operates on the philosophy of empowering through self-advocacy. As disparities in healthcare continue to persist, Melendez underscores the importance of inclusive policy-making and community representation to pave the way for a fairer and healthier tomorrow.

Key Takeaways:

Tobacco's harmful impact on the black community is multifaceted, with genetics, marketing, and menthol flavoring being significant factors. Health equity is still an urgent issue with the need for diverse representation in policy-making to ensure equity over equality. The Nevada Minority Health and Equity Coalition is a key player in addressing health equity issues across Nevada. Community health workers are a crucial yet underutilized resource in the crusade for health equity, according to Jose Melendez.

Educational initiatives and summits like Because We Matter serve as platforms for discussing and strategizing public health issues.

In this impactful episode of "A Healthier Tomorrow," hosts Will Rucker and Alisa Howard, along with guests Mekale Holmes and Raychel Holbert from the Southern Nevada Health District, address crucial health issues in the African American community. Mourning a recent tragedy at UNLV, they focus on the importance of community support and delve into HIV prevention and tobacco control. Holmes and Holbert discuss the stigmas around HIV, the alarming rates of smoking-related deaths, and the need for proactive health measures like full panel STI and HIV testing. The episode also highlights the upcoming "Because We Matter" tobacco-free living summit, emphasizing the need for community awareness and empowerment in tackling these critical health issues.