HEALS News

The theme for March’s Las Vegas HEALS Healthcare magazine is National Kidney Month. We invite anyone interested in having content featured to send materials to Adriana. Those interested in placing advertisements can also email Adriana to send in materials, or ask any questions you may have.

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The Nevada Cancer Coalition (NCC) will convene its Elevating Lung Cancer Screening: A Lung Cancer Collaborative Forum on Friday, April 17, 2026, at the Carpenters International Training Center in Las Vegas. The free, half-day event will run from 7 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and is designed to strengthen lung cancer screening programs, advance statewide collaboration and share best practices for improving early detection.

Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer-related death in Nevada. Early detection through systematic screening with low-dose CT has been shown to improve outcomes, yet statewide screening uptake remains a critical gap in care.

The forum will feature expert discussions on best practices in screening implementation, patient identification, referral pathways, shared decision-making, patient management and follow-up care — topics central to enhancing quality and outcomes. Continuing education credits will be available for participating health care professionals.

Agenda highlights include a breakfast and welcome session on Nevada’s lung cancer burden, expert presentations on screening practices by Dr. Vishisht Mehta of the Lung Center of Nevada and Dr. Kathleen Graham of Renown Health, a talk on community outreach strategies and insights on building sustainable lung cancer screening systems.

NCC expects the forum to foster multidisciplinary collaboration among radiologists, primary care physicians, oncologists, public health practitioners and other stakeholders invested in lung cancer early detection and control. Registration is free but required due to limited capacity.

This program is supported in part through contributions from Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation, Genentech, Amgen, Pfizer Oncology and Daiichi Sankyo.

Click here to learn more.

By Dr. Paul McConnell, National Dental Director, UnitedHealthcare Dental

Oral health is more than just a bright smile, it’s an important part of a child’s growth, development and overall well-being. Tooth decay is the most common chronic disease among kids in the U.S., affecting nearly half of children ages 2-19. About 1 in 10 children ages 2-5 experience untreated decay, a number that climbs to nearly 1 in 5 by ages 6-8.

Baby teeth play an important role in a child’s development, serving as the foundation for healthy permanent teeth and supporting speech and overall well-being. Moreover, emergency dental care causes children in the U.S. to miss approximately 34 million school hours annually. Good oral health habits and staying on top of dental checkups from an early age can help reduce the risk of developing cavities and other conditions that affect overall health.

Here are some tips for parents to help promote good childhood dental health:

Encourage healthy snacking and hydration. What children eat and drink plays a big role in their oral health. Sugary snacks and drinks feed bacteria that can erode enamel and lead to cavities. Limiting sugar and encouraging plenty of water helps rinse away food particles, dilute acids, and support healthy saliva flow. Adding nutrient‑rich foods like fruits, vegetables, cheese and yogurt provides calcium and vitamin D to help keep teeth and bones strong.

Make preventive dental care part of your routine. Regular preventive dental care may help to catch issues early on, helping reduce the risk of more serious — and costly — problems down the road. For kids, untreated cavities can result in poor nutrition and potentially stunt growth and development. Oral health can also be linked to health conditions like diabetes and heart disease, making it important to take advantage of preventive services from a young age. Many dental plans cover preventive services such as exams, cleanings, x-rays and sealants. Call the number on the back of your dental insurance card to find out what your specific plan covers.

A child’s first dental visit should be scheduled after their first tooth appears and no later than their first birthday. After that, kids should see the dentist every six months.

Promote a positive dental experience. Dental fear and anxiety is quite common — one third of young kids around the world experience it. Dental visits may include the use of instruments or services that can seem scary. Regular visits to the dentist may help kids get more comfortable and help make the experience more familiar. Parents can help ease nerves by explaining what to expect, answering questions or using books or videos to help kids feel prepared and confident.

Provide guidance for good dental hygiene. While parents may want to supervise brushing until at least age 8 to ensure proper technique, education around oral health can begin much earlier. Encourage brushing twice daily with an ADA-approved toothpaste. Introduce flossing when two teeth touch. This helps teach children that cleaning between teeth is just as important as brushing. Parents can make dental care fun by letting kids choose toothbrushes in their favorite colors, turning brushing time into a family activity, singing songs or setting timers to help them stay engaged.

Replace toothbrushes regularly. Change toothbrushes every three to four months, or sooner if bristles are frayed. During cold and flu season, replace toothbrushes after being sick to avoid reintroducing germs to the body.

Encouraging healthy dental habits and staying consistent with preventive care from a young age may help children grow up with strong smiles, fewer health complications and the confidence that comes with a lifetime of good oral health.

The Southern Nevada Health District’s Office of Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion will host the 3rd Annual Tobacco‑Free Living Summit through its Tobacco Control Program. The summit will address the detrimental effects of tobacco use within the Black community. To help reduce this burden, the Tobacco Control Program created Because We Matter LV, an African American-focused tobacco initiative, which guides the program’s efforts and serves as the foundation for this year’s event.

The summit will bring together community members, advocates and experts on Thursday, February 19, from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Dr. William Pearson Community Center, 1625 W. Carey Ave., North Las Vegas, NV 89032. This free, public event will spotlight urgent issues shaping public health today, including the youth vaping epidemic, flavored tobacco products, tobacco control policies, and proven cessation resources. Held during Black History Month, the summit will also explore the disproportionate impact of tobacco use on Black communities and highlight actionable strategies to promote healthier, tobacco-free lives.

Smoking is a leading risk factor for chronic and life-threatening conditions, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), stroke, heart attack and lung cancer. In Clark County, Black adults experience a disproportionate burden of these smoking-related conditions.

In 2023, Black adults in Clark County had the second-highest smoking prevalence among racial and ethnic groups at 15.2%, according to the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. Only residents categorized as other race reported a higher prevalence, at 16.3%. That same year, 10.9% of Black adults in Clark County reported having COPD, emphysema or chronic bronchitis—the highest prevalence among all racial and ethnic groups in the county. Black adults also had the highest prevalence of stroke in 2023, at 4.4%.

The impact of smoking is also evident in mortality data. Between 2018 and 2022, Black adults in Clark County experienced one of the highest age-adjusted lung cancer death rates, at 33.4 deaths per 100,000 population, according to the National Cancer Institute. In 2022, Black adults also had the highest age-adjusted death rate from heart attack – 43.5 per 100,000 – based on data from the National Environmental Public Health Tracking Network.

“The Tobacco-Free Living Summit is an important opportunity for our community to come together around one of the most preventable causes of disease and death,” said Dr. Cassius Lockett, District Health Officer for the Health District. “Smoking and tobacco use continue to have a profound impact on the health of individuals, families and our health care system. By sharing evidence-based strategies, amplifying local voices, and strengthening partnerships, this summit helps move us closer to a healthier, tobacco-free future for everyone.”

The summit features a variety of tobacco-related topics and speakers:

• Onjewel Smith, echo, LLC and American Nonsmokers’ Rights Foundation

Menthol tobacco and cultural exploitation

• Kayla Ramsey, Nevada Cancer Coalition

Lung cancer screening matters

• Dr. Karen Beard, Amplify! African American Statewide Coordinating Center

Moving beyond cessation

• DJ Yearwood, 2023 Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids Youth Advocate of the Year

Protecting Black youth from vaping

• Tracy Truran, Health Plan of Nevada and Richard Davis, Dignity Health

Rapid-fire session: Nevada cessation programs and resources

Because We Matter LV is a smoking and vaping prevention initiative for African Americans in Clark County and is part of the Health District’s Tobacco Control Program. The initiative works to raise awareness, provide culturally relevant education, connect individuals to cessation resources and encourage healthier, smoke- and vape-free lives throughout the community.

Registration for the summit is now open; visit the 2026 Tobacco-Free Living Summit Registration page. Learn more about Because We Matter LV at becausewematterlv.org.

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.

MountainView Hospital is proud to announce a major medical milestone successfully performing the first spine surgery in Las Vegas using a new navigation system. This system delivers advanced image-guided navigation that can be used for both minimally invasive spine and cranial procedures. Similar to technology found in self-driving cars, this navigation system uses special cameras to create full-color, 3D images with nearly one million data points.

Traditional image-guided navigation systems can take up to 30 minutes to accurately align a patient’s anatomy with the system and can often require multiple set-ups. This new system can provide this 3D registration in less than 30 seconds. The machine’s vision technology is embedded directly overhead in the surgical light which helps optimize the workflow for surgeons and care teams and improves patient outcomes due to significantly faster operating times. It also eliminates the need for any radiation during the procedure, by utilizing visible light.

“By investing in this advanced navigation system, we’re redefining what’s possible in surgical care,  significantly improving operating times while enhancing precision for our surgeons,” said MountainView Hospital’s Chief Executive Officer Alexis Mussi. “This innovation reflects our commitment to leading change and delivering the very best for our community and our exceptional surgical teams.”

About MountainView Hospital:

MountainView Hospital is a state-of-the-art, full-service medical facility located in the heart of northwest Las Vegas. With a dedicated and talented staff of employees and outstanding physicians, MountainView Hospital is recognized for high patient satisfaction and for providing quality and compassionate care to our community since 1996. MountainView features nationally recognized programs including a top cardiovascular and thoracic center and integrated cardiology clinic, and the renowned Las Vegas Institute for Robotic Surgery. MountainView is the only hospital in Nevada to offer bone marrow transplants. The Sunrise Health Medical Education Consortium, based at MountainView, trains the next generation of physicians and surgeons for our community.

MountainView is a member of the respected Sunrise Health System consisting of Sunrise Hospital, Sunrise Children’s Hospital, Southern Hills Hospital and several surgery, diagnostic imaging, urgent care centers and three freestanding hospital based emergency rooms, offering a complete range of specialized and technologically advanced services.

The theme for February’s Las Vegas HEALS Healthcare magazine is American Heart Month. We invite anyone interested in having content featured to send materials to Adriana. Those interested in placing advertisements can also email Adriana to send in materials, or ask any questions you may have.

Advertising Specs

1/4 Page -3.5″ w x 4.5″
1/2 Page -7.5″ w x 5.5″
Full Page 8.5” x 11”

Advertising Options

Quarter page $100
Half-page – $150
Full page – $275
Advertorial – $550
Front Cover – $675
Back Cover – $375

Articles/human interest pieces – 500 – 600 words (please include pictures)

*All submissions must be received by the 10th of every month. If you need our assistance designing your ad, our designer can help (for an additional fee)

The Southern Nevada Health District has rolled out a new schedule of free diabetes self-management, education and support classes offered in English, Spanish, in-person and online. The classes are available starting Jan. 21.

“Diabetes is a serious and growing health challenge that affects not just individuals, but entire families and communities,” said Dr. Cassius Lockett, District Health Officer for the Health District. “The good news is that with the right education, support and tools, people can prevent complications and take control of their health, which is why these free classes are so important.”

Diabetes continues to affect a growing share of the population at the local, state and national levels. In Clark County, 12.8% of adults—about 238,000 people—had diabetes in 2023. Statewide in 2024, an estimated 13.5% of adults, or 345,700 Nevadans, were diagnosed with the disease. Nationally, more than 41 million Americans are living with diabetes, including 11.7 million who do not know they have it. About 1.2 million people are newly diagnosed each year.

The American Diabetes Association estimates that 816,000 Nevadans are living with prediabetes, a condition that raises the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, heart disease and stroke. Adults who experience food insecurity face a significantly higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes, often because limited resources force them to rely on lower-cost foods that are high in calories and lower in nutritional value.

The Health District’s Office of Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion provides free diabetes self-management classes online and in-person. Led by trained health educators, the classes are recognized by the American Diabetes Association for meeting national standards in diabetes self-management education.

The Health District is currently accepting registrations for the following classes:

In-person classes

Main Public Health Center, 280 S. Decatur Blvd., Las Vegas, NV 89107

English:

Wednesday, Jan. 21 and 28, from 2 to 4 p.m.

Spanish:

Thursday, Jan. 22 and 29, from 10 a.m. to noon

Virtual classes (Microsoft Teams)

English:
Thursday, Jan. 22, 29 and Feb. 5, from 10 a.m. to noon

Additional classes are scheduled through mid-May. More information is available from the Get Healthy Clark County Community Calendar.

To register for classes, call (702) 759-1270, email gethealthy@snhd.org or complete the Diabetes Self-Management Class Interest Form. Registration for Spanish-language classes is available on the Viva Saludable website. More information about the classes is available in the Diabetes Self-Management Classes video.

To learn more about diabetes resources in Southern Nevada, go to Get Healthy Clark County|Local Diabetes Resources or Viva Saludable|Recursos locales para la diabetes.

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.

United Health Foundation recently shared its 2025 America’s Health Rankings Annual Report from the United Health Foundation, which can be found linked HERE and includes a summary of Nevada’s key findings. This is the 36th edition of America’s Health Rankings, the longest-running state-by-state analysis of the nation’s health. The data and rankings give states a clear roadmap, helping leaders identify what’s working, where progress is needed and how to transform insight into measurable improvement.

Nevada has ranked No. 42 this year and experienced the following progress and challenges:

• Low prevalence of obesity
• High prevalence of households with high-speed internet
• Three or more of four climate policies in place

• High prevalence of non-medical drug use
• High economic hardship index score
• Low prevalence of cancer screenings

• Premature death decreased 8% between 2022 and 2023.
• Drug deaths decreased 3% between 2022 and 2023 — the first improvement since 2018.
• Cancer screenings increased 15% between 2022 and 2024.
• Adults living with three or more chronic conditions increased 6% (from 10.7% to 11.3% of adults) between 2023 and 2024, with the largest increase (17%) among adults ages 18–44.
• Homelessness increased 16% between 2023 and 2024.
• Avoiding care due to cost increased 8% between 2023 and 2024.
• Physical inactivity reached its healthiest level since tracking began.

Dr. Neil Gokal, chief medical officer at Southwest Medical, part of Optum, was recently honored by the Down Syndrome Organization of Southern Nevada (DSOSN) at its signature fundraising celebration, the Festival of Trees and Lights.

DSOSN’s mission is to enlighten the public by promoting a positive understanding of Down Syndrome and other intellectual and developmental disabilities in the community. Dr. Gokal was honored by the DSOSN for his tireless advocacy on behalf of people with disabilities. In recognition of his enduring legacy of inclusive care, visionary leadership, and unwavering advocacy, Dr. Gokal was presented with the Nevada Governor’s Annual Lifetime Achievement Award.

“Dr. Gokal’s impact has reached communities across Nevada, transforming the landscape of disability rights and health care access,” said Peter Whittingham, chair of the DSOSN board of directors. “His dedication continues to inspire and uplift countless lives.”

Dr. Gokal obtained his medical degree from St. George’s University, Grenada, West Indies. He completed his medical residency and internship at Atlantic Health Systems, Summit, New Jersey. Currently, Dr. Gokal works at Southwest Medical’s Oakey Health Care Center in Las Vegas.