MEDIA ADVISORY — NC Health and Human Services Secretary Dev Sangvai and North Carolina State Treasurer Brad Briner to hold the first meeting of the Health Care Affordability Commission on Tuesday, July 21, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The meeting is open to the public and will be streamed live on the NCDHHS YouTube page.
Press Releases
PRESS RELEASE — As North Carolina continues to see elevated cyclosporiasis cases, NCDHHS, in collaboration with the NC Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services (NCDA&CS) and local partners, is continuing work to identify potential sources of cyclospora stemming from specific ingredients used frequently at homes and in restaurants. NCDHHS encourages North Carolinians and restaurants to practice proper safety precautions to prevent contracting the parasite.
PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is recognizing the 4th anniversary of the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. Since 2022, North Carolinians are reaching out more with usage of 988 more than doubling since launch. Simultaneously, NCDHHS has improved its ability to respond to individuals experiencing a mental health crisis.
PRESS RELEASE — North Carolina is among dozens of states across the United States experiencing an increase in cyclosporiasis cases. From May 1 to July 14, 2026, 307 cases of cyclosporiasis and 13 hospitalizations have been reported in North Carolina. Case counts will be updated weekly on Tuesdays. North Carolina has experienced a consistent level of cyclospora cases from 2024 to 2026, with 2024 marking an uptick in cases from years prior. Although a single product has not been identified as the source of the cases in North Carolina, NCDHHS is working with local partners to keep North
PRESS RELEASE — A dangerous heat wave is expected in North Carolina this Fourth of July Weekend. High temperatures will likely exceed 100 degrees and, combined with humidity, could feel like 110 degrees. The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is urging caution when spending time outdoors or in areas that are not air conditioned and encourages people to drink plenty of water and be alert for signs of heat-related illness. NCDHHS has already documented more than 1,808 emergency department visits for heat-related illness between May 1 to June 28, 2026, which is above the
PRESS RELEASE — Today Governor Josh Stein signed an executive order to make health care more affordable for all North Carolinians. Executive Order No. 39 establishes the Health Care Affordability Commission, made up of health care experts from across the health care landscape, including medical providers, hospitals, insurers, researchers, and patient advocates. The commission, co-chaired by North Carolina State Treasurer Brad Briner and NC Secretary of Health and Human Services Dev Sangvai, will develop timely, concrete solutions to rein in surging health care costs.
PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services and the North Carolina Department of Information Technology today announced three new programs to improve the digital infrastructure of rural health care through new digital solutions and tools. This partnership advances statewide implementation of NC’s Rural Health Transformation Program (NCRHTP) digital health and technology initiative, funded by the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services today announced text and chat options are now available on the North Carolina Peer Warmline, a 24/7 crisis response service operated by Promise Resource Network.
PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services today announced that it will provide $10 million to 39 local EMS agencies through the NC Rural Health Transformation Program. The funds awarded by the NCDHHS Office of Emergency Medical Services for Mobile Integrated Health will strengthen the EMS workforce and expand rural communities’ access to mental health and substance use disorder treatment and services.
PRESS RELEASE — North Carolina’s innovative Healthy Opportunities Pilots (HOP) reduced health care costs by an average of $164 per month for NC Medicaid beneficiaries, according to the results of a study announced today by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. The study, conducted by the Cecil G. Sheps Center for Health Services Research at the University of North Carolina, found the program led to a significant shift in patient care. HOP participants had fewer emergency department visits and hospital stays and more visits with less-expensive outpatient providers like