Everyone Has a Status: The Facts About HIV in Las Vegas (And Why Testing Matters) on A Healthier Tomorrow

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.