Health Equity Program

The State of Nevada’s Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (CDPHP) section, housed within the Division of Public and Behavioral Health (DPBH), has recently been awarded $32 million through the OT21-2103: National Initiative to Address COVID-19 Health Disparities Among Population s at High-Risk and Underserved, Including Racial and Ethnic Minority Populations and Rural Communities. The 2021 Period of Performance is June 1, 2021 - May 31, 2023. Aimed to reduce disparities caused by COVID-19, this project targets high risk and underserved populations, including racial and ethnic minority populations and rural populations spread across Nevada. A newly established Health Equity Team, which consists of one (1) Health Equity Manager, two (2) Health Equity Coordinators, and one (1) Health Equity Evaluator, oversees the management, administration, evaluation and surveillance of this project. Through multiple partnerships and collaboration, this project aims to improve across the following four strategies:

1. Expand existing and/or develop new mitigation and prevention resources and services to reduce COVID-19 related disparities among populations at higher risk and that are underserved.
2. Increase/improve data collection and reporting for populations experiencing a disproportionate burden of COVID-19 infection, severe illness, and death to guide the response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
3. Build, leverage, and expand infrastructure support for COVID-19 prevention and control among populations that are at higher risk and underserved.
4. Mobilize partners and collaborators to advance health equity and address social determinants of health as they relate to COVID-19 health disparities among populations at higher risk and that are underserved.

Through these strategies, Nevada’s expected outcomes include improved services to prevent and control COVID-19 infection (or transmission), improved and increased contact tracing, increased community and cross sectoral partnerships, improved data collection, management, analysis, reporting, and expanded workforce and capacity.

Notably, CDPHP has partnered and continues to partner with tribal organizations, faith-based organization, academic institutions, correctional facilities, LGBTQ organizations, and social services providers.
Additionally, funding through the Strategies To Repair Equity and Transform Community Health (STRETCH) Initiative, has been able to hire on a temporary Health Equity Project Manager. This position ensures equitable practices and populations through the partnered organizations are being reached and assists in the creation and development of the CDPHP language access plan. 

The impact of these programs will positively alter health equity in chronic disease.