Public Health Week 2010

A Focus On Nevada’s Growing Waistlines

As part of National Public Health Week, the Nevada Public Health Foundation is unveiling its new website designed to help Nevadans address critical health issues facing the state, like obesity. NPHF.org highlights Nevada’s public health standings and offers resources for awareness, education and collaboration.

Based on national public health indicators, Nevada ranked among the worst in the nation – 42 in 2008 and 45 in 2009.

Nevada's Public Health Strengths: Low levels of air pollution, a low rate of preventable hospitalizations and a low infant mortality rate.

Nevada's Public Health Challenges: A growing obesity rate, low high school graduation rate, high violent crime rate, low immunization coverage, low public health funding, at $37 per person and a high geographic disparity within the state, at 17.1 percent.