CLV Podcast

Everyone Has a Status: The Facts About HIV in Las Vegas (And Why Testing Matters) on A Healthier Tomorrow

Everyone has a status—and knowing it can save lives. 

Clark County continues to see HIV diagnosis rates higher than the national average, with disproportionate impact on Black and Hispanic/Latinx communities. Yet stigma, silence, and misinformation still keep too many people from getting tested or accessing prevention tools that already exist.

In this powerful year-end conversation, the Healthier Tomorrow hosts sit down with public health and HIV-prevention leaders to talk honestly about what’s happening in Southern Nevada—and what we can do about it. From home testing kits and mobile clinics to PrEP and PEP, this episode breaks down the facts, challenges the shame, and centers compassion, faith, and community as essential parts of public health.

About the Guests:

Chris Reynolds is featured as both a host and a guest in the episode. He is the President of the Southern Nevada Health Consortium and serves as the HIV Services Director for ASP Cares Pharmacy. Chris's role in public health is marked by his advocacy and leadership in HIV prevention and community engagement.

Raychel Holbertis a health educator at the Southern Nevada Health District, working on educating the community about public health issues and partnering on initiatives to improve healthcare access.

Cheryl Radeloff is a Senior Health Educator with the Office of Disease Surveillance. She collaborates with the HIV Prevention Planning Group and is instrumental in health education and public health coaching.

Episode Summary:

In this special year-end episode of the Healthier Tomorrow radio program, hosts Will Rucker and Ciara Owens reflect on the journey of 2025 and share insights on future goals for 2026. They delve into a comprehensive discussion on health topics ranging from diabetes and heart health to maternal support and youth mental health, emphasizing the impacts noted in the Las Vegas community.

The episode features the pressing issue of HIV prevention and education within Clark County. Guest experts Raychel Holbertand Cheryl Radeloff explore the current state of HIV in Southern Nevada, highlighting the critical need for testing and addressing racial disparities in HIV rates, especially among black and Hispanic/Latinx communities. The discussion extends to novel prevention strategies, including home testing and innovative biomedical interventions like PEP and PrEP, underscoring the importance of knowing one's HIV status. As Ciara Owens articulates, "Everyone has a status, and we should all know it," it's clear this vital message is at the heart of the episode's theme.

Key Takeaways:

  • Clark County faces a higher rate of HIV diagnoses compared to the national average, with significant racial disparities affecting black and Hispanic/Latinx communities.
  • The hosts and guests emphasize the importance of HIV testing and the new initiatives in place to make testing more accessible, including home test kits and mobile testing units in underserved areas.
  • Various HIV prevention strategies are discussed, such as Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) and Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP), offering multiple routes for protective health measures against HIV.
  • Stigma and medical mistrust remain barriers to effective HIV prevention and treatment, especially among communities of color.
  • Community engagement, particularly with faith leaders and the significance of breaking the stigma within the church, is crucial for improving health outcomes.

Notable Quotes:

  • "Everyone has a status, and we should all know it." — Ciara Owens
  • "HIV is not related to your morality. All different types of people get HIV in many different types of ways." — Cheryl Radeloff
  • "There is no shame about protecting yourself and there is no shame about living with HIV." — Raychel Holbert

Resources:

  • Southern Nevada Health District (HIV Testing): Southern Nevada Health District
  • ASP Cares Pharmacy and HIV Services
  • Can Community Center
  • AIDS Healthcare Foundation
  • Dignity Health
  • UMC Quick Care Clinics
  • Fremont Public Health Center
  • Collect to Protect Program for at-home testing

Engage with the full episode to dive deeper into the initiatives and voices shaping the health landscape of Southern Nevada. Stay connected for more impactful discussions in the future episodes of Healthier Tomorrow.