Advocates Meet to Discuss Health Policy in Nevada

In October community advocates and health professionals gathered at Reno’s Whitney Peak Hotel for a Meet & Greet hosted by Kendra Edwards, Government Relations Director for the American Heart Association to discuss public health policy in Nevada. The event brought together individuals passionate about improving health, safety, and equity across Nevada. Attendees shared their personal commitments, and a strong sense of community purpose filled the room as they discussed key issues for the upcoming 2025 legislative session.

The evening centered on three key priorities:

– Healthy School Meals for All
– Cardiac Emergency Response Plans (CERP)
– Tobacco Prevention and Control Funding.

We emphasized the importance of partnerships in each initiative, from working with Three Square to promote equitable school meals, to supporting the Smart Heart Sports Coalition for safer schools, workplaces, and sports facilities, to advocating for strategic funding to reduce tobacco use across the state.

American Heart Association staff including Nicole Monzon, Ashlen Ramit, and Grace Henscheid gave updates on ongoing local efforts, highlighting recent successes and inviting attendees to get involved in future initiatives.

A standout part of the evening was an interactive exercise where participants connected with one another, discussing their passions and ideas for contributing to the campaign. This time of engagement fostered a collaborative atmosphere that set the stage for future advocacy efforts.

The event closed with a call to action, inviting attendees to attend Lobby Day at the Nevada State Capitol on February 20, 2025, and stressing the importance of each attendee’s voice in advancing these legislative goals.

We are excited to see what this group does in 2025.