CLV Podcast

Your Voice Matters: How to Influence Community Health Policies Today

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 Hua: 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.

Tamera Travis: Tamera 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 Ciara Owens, 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 educator Carmen Hua and epidemiologist Tamera 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 Hua and Tamera 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:

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

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

  3. "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." - Tamera Travis

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

     

Resources:

For regular updates, health tips, and insightful discussions about public health, make sure to listen to the full episode and stay tuned for more enlightening content from "A Healthier Tomorrow" hosted by Will Rucker. Stay engaged and proactive in shaping a healthier community.