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.

Teen mental health in Nevada is in crisis, but the story doesn’t end there. In this powerful episode, Jana Velasco shares how Hope Means Nevada is equipping teens with the tools to regulate emotions, choose joy, and build resilience long before a crisis emerges. Through human connection, socio-emotional learning, and community support, we explore how young people can reclaim their power—becoming the “captains of their own ship,” even in the most challenging times.

About the Guest:

Jana Velasco
Jana Velasco is the Executive Director of Hope Means Nevada, an organization dedicated to promoting youth mental wellness throughout the state. With a mission to eliminate teen suicide, Jana leverages her personal and professional experiences to connect with teens facing mental health challenges. Her leadership in the organization aims to provide vital tools and resources to Nevada’s youth to foster emotional regulation. Jana’s commitment to serving the community is also informed by her role as a mother and advocate for mental health awareness.

Episode Summary:

In this special edition of "A Healthier Tomorrow," hosts Will Rucker and Ciara Owens delve into an essential conversation on hope and mental health with Jana Velasco, Executive Director of Hope Means Nevada. This episode carries a particular focus on providing practical solutions and support for youth mental wellness across Nevada, addressing the state's unfortunate ranking of 51st for youth mental health in the nation.

Jana Velasco introduces the Teen Hope Academy, a proactive program aimed at equipping young individuals with skills in emotional regulation, mindfulness, and distress tolerance. This comprehensive initiative is designed to be accessible through virtual sessions, promoting mental wellness over crisis response. The hosts and Jana discuss the importance of choosing hope and joy, stressing the need for positive, compassionate community initiatives that engage both teens and adults. Throughout the conversation, they explore the impact of socio-emotional learning and the broader implications of mental health tools for long-term community transformation.

Key Takeaways:

• Youth Mental Health: Nevada ranks last in youth mental health, prompting initiatives like the Teen Hope Academy.
• Importance of Emotional Regulation: Teen Hope Academy teaches emotional regulation to empower teens, showing promise for reducing youth suicide rates.
• Hope and Resilience: The episode underscores choosing hope, resilience, and joy, especially during challenging times.
• Community Support: Building a supportive community and engaging in continuous, meaningful conversations are vital to this effort.
• Proactive Engagement: Parents and adults should engage teens in mental wellness strategies before reaching a crisis point.

Notable Quotes:

1. "Hope to me is limitless... It’s human connectivity that keeps us strong." - Jana Velasco
2. "Choosing hope, choosing joy, and not saying toxic positivity... One of the few things we get to actually choose is our attitude." - Ciara Owens
3. "We are creating our own worlds... And as the world might say they are powerless, they are actually the captains of their own ship." - Jana Velasco
4. "We’re not solitary individuals... Conversation is healing." - Jana Velasco

Resources:

• Hope Means Nevada: hopemeansnevada.org
• 988 Crisis Text Line: A resource for immediate, confidential help.
• Southern Nevada Health District: Support and partnership on community health initiatives.
• Jamison Fellowship: A network for adult development, highlighting community building and personal growth.

Listeners are encouraged to tune in to the full episode for a deeper understanding of the impacts of youth mental health initiatives and to stay engaged with future episodes of "A Healthier Tomorrow" for more inspiring discussions.