Health District’s Salud en Acción 

Health in action translates into Salud en Acción.  For many members of Southern Nevada’s Hispanic population, the healthcare and Medicare maze can be daunting. In response, the Southern Nevada Health District created a community-based health promotion program called Salud en Acción.

The program began in 1999 with a grant from the Baylor College of Medicine and Women’s Health Connection.  Initially, Salud en Acción’s primary focus was to provide accurate health-related information to Hispanics so they can make informed choices about their health care.  In 2002, the program began to offer Medicare counseling as well.

Salud en Acción’s 10 bilingual volunteers receive specialized training to provide Medicare advocacy on behalf of its clients, including Medicare prescription drug information, one-on-one counseling, eligibility requirements, referrals as well as assistance with the appeals process.  There is no fee to access one-to-one service with a Salud en Acción volunteer or the program and it is available to anyone who is eligible for Medicare benefits.

Hispanic volunteers are actively recruited to promote Salud en Acción among their friends, neighbors, and colleagues. Program information and facts are communicated to the community via local television, radio, newspaper and through a monthly newsletter. Stories prominently feature Southern Nevadans who are committed to promoting healthy lifestyles.

The State Health Insurance Advisory Program, the Rafael Rivera Community Center, Women’s Health Connection and the Nevada Beneficiary Coalition are community partners along with the Southern Nevada Health District’s Salud en Acción program.  For information or to become a volunteer, call 759-0874 or visit www.SouthernNevadaHealthDistrict.org.

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