FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
June 8, 2022

LAS VEGAS — Today, the Southern Nevada Health District commemorated its 60th anniversary with a State of the Health District address highlighting its accomplishments and challenges of the past few years.

Following statutory authorization by the Nevada State Legislature in 1959, the agency began operations as the Clark County Health District in a temporary structure built as an Army Medical Station during World War II on June 5, 1962. The Health District employed 30 staff members, including four “sanitarians” responsible for inspecting some 800 eating and drinking establishments. Today, approximately 800 employees provide a variety of programs and services designed to protect and promote the health of Clark County residents and visitors, including inspecting more than 17,000 permitted food establishments each year.

“During these past few years, we have expended a large number of public health resources on the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the amount of time and effort our staff has devoted to our community’s pandemic response efforts, they have still been actively providing much needed public health programs and services to our community, and I am pleased we are able to recognize their accomplishments today,” said Dr. Fermin Leguen, District Health Officer of the Southern Nevada Health District.

Dr. Leguen was joined today by Councilman Scott Black, who also serves as Chair of the Southern Nevada District Board of Health, and staff members who presented updates about the Health District’s recent activities related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. Leguen provided the State of the Health District, outlining the public health agency’s recent accomplishments and his vision for the future of public health and the agency. The presentation will be available on the Health District’s YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/user/SNHealthDistrict.

In recognition of the 60^th anniversary of the Health District, a timeline, commemorative e-book and more are available on the Health District’s website at www.snhd.info/60-healthy-years/.

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.