Download Las Vegas Urban League 3575 W. Cheyenne Ave. Ste. 101 North

Las Vegas Urban League
3575 W. Cheyenne Ave. Ste. 101
North Las Vegas, NV 89032
To: Chairman James Oscarson and the Health and Human Services Committee
Re: Las Vegas Urban League letter of support for AB243
The Las Vegas Urban League is the largest community action agency in the state of
Nevada. We are also one of the largest affiliates of the National Urban League—one of
the oldest civil rights organizations in the country.
We see hundreds of thousands of Clark County residents annually, residents that need
and want assistance with finding their path from poverty to prosperity. We believe good
health is an intricate part of that journey.
The Las Vegas Urban League recently established a Minority Health care program in
conjunction with the State of Nevada Public and Behavioral Health Department: Office
of HIV/AIDS and Dan Olsen, the HIV/AIDS Section Manager to help educate not only
our current customers, but everyone in the community. Under the stewardship of Alisa
Howard our Minority Health Program year to date has brought education and
awareness regarding the importance of testing to 180 individuals, but we are
determined to reach more every day.
Did you know that an astounding 60% of new HIV infection diagnoses in 2013 were
within the minority population?
Minority groups are the fastest growing population of new HIV diagnosis in the state of
Nevada according to the Nevada Division of Public and Behavioral Health, Office of
Public Health Informatics and Epidemiology, HIV/AIDS Surveillance Program.
There is no singular solution to this epidemic. The multi-pronged solution includes
strong partnership, multiple motivated organizations and broad bi-partisan support. We
are a part of a strong group on the front lines of this epidemic and if we are going to
reach our goal of educating and testing those most affected, we need the ability to move
freely throughout the community. AB243 will help us overcome the current barriers to
testing. We will be able to access the high risk population who may be scared to or
nervous about the stigma of walking into an AIDS health clinic. Face to face access is
critical to real grassroots outreach.
AB243 will provide the tools to help the Las Vegas Urban League and many other
organizations further their reach into the community, so we ask that you vote yes in
support of AB 243.
We are submitting this statement as a part of the official record for these proceedings.
Submitted on behalf of:
Kevin E. Hooks
President and CEO
Las Vegas Urban League