National Public Health Week

According to the American Public Health Association, “11.2 percent of people in Nevada do not have health insurance coverage, well above the national uninsured rate of 8.8 percent. This is the 8th highest uninsured rate in the country.”

This percentage is alarming given that we are still in the middle of a global pandemic.

This week is National Public Health Week, which focuses on educating the public about a variety of public health topics. Each day highlights a different topic ranging from advancing racial equity to elevating the essential and health workforce. 

These topics are very important for Nevada’s public health as we continue to fight the battle against not only COVID19 but also obesity and opioid addiction. Our great state is also made up of a number of rural communities that have difficulty acquiring great health care. 

Looking at the Numbers

The American Public Health Association releases state fact sheets that give statistics about the public health of every state. They release this information to not only inform the public but also for the public to take action. Here are the statistics they provided for the Silver State:

• Tobacco use: 15.7 percent of adults in Nevada smoke cigarettes. Each year, 4,050 people die from smoking-related illnesses in Nevada and $1.1 billion is spent on health care costs due to smoking. 
•  Obesity:  29.5 percent of adults in Nevada are obese. And while the state boasts a relatively low adult obesity rate in comparison to other states, the obesity rate has more than doubled over the past two and a half decades. Obesity contributes to poor general health and is a leading factor in preventable diseases.
• Drug deaths: The rate of drug-related deaths in Nevada is 22.1 deaths per 100,000 people, ranking the state 33rd lowest in the nation. The national rate is 19.2 drug deaths per 100,000 people. 

Sources: Trust for America’s Health, Investing in America’s Health; Trust for America’s Health, Prevention and Public Health Fund at Work in States; U.S. Census Bureau, 2015, 2016, and 2017 1-Year American Community Surveys; United Health Foundation, America’s Health Rankings; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Tobacco Control Program Funding.

Now that we know the stats, how do we take action? With President’s Biden Special Enrollment Period, Nevadans can apply for affordable health care and begin to live healthier lives. Healthcare shouldn’t be a luxury, it's a necessity that should be easy for people to receive.

NV Silver is Here to Help

John W Collier and Gina Aguerre have over three decades of experience in health and life insurance. They not only will help you find the best health care plan for you, but they will do it with care and ease. John and Gina have been serving the Reno community for over 32 years. They have expanded their reach to help those in other Northern Nevada communities, as well as in other states. NV Silver is the only Nevada Health Link Preferred Broker in Northern Nevada. They understand that health and life insurance can be difficult to understand, that’s why they take the time to review your options and make sure you truly understand what you’re enrolling in. If you’d like to learn more about your health and life insurance options, contact NV Silver today at 775-829-1221 or submit an inquiry form here.