Press Releases

PRESS RELEASE — The latest data from the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services shows major improvements in the health and well-being of people across the state. The newly released 2024 death data shows North Carolina’s infant mortality rate declined to the lowest rate in state history, and overdose-related deaths decreased by more than a third in the same time frame. During this same year, the state marked major investments in health with Medicaid expansion, historic behavioral health funding from the North Carolina General Assembly, and national opioid settlement funding.

PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services today announced Melanie Bush as the next Deputy Secretary of Medicaid for the NCDHHS Division of Health Benefits. In this role, Deputy Secretary Bush will continue to provide leadership, strategic direction, operational oversight, and managed care supervision for NC Medicaid, which serves more than 3 million North Carolinians who rely on these critical services. Deputy Secretary Bush’s appointment remains contingent upon confirmation by the North Carolina General Assembly.

PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is raising awareness of Legionnaires’ disease as cases have increased statewide and globally in recent years. North Carolina reported 310 cases in 2025 compared to 201 cases in 2024.

Press Release — NC Health and Human Services Secretary Dev Sangvai and NC Attorney General Jeff Jackson will appear in front of the NC General Assembly House Select Committee on Oversight and Reform this morning. The Committee has invited them to share and respond to questions about NC Medicaid’s work to identify and address fraud, waste, and abuse. 

PRESS RELEASE — Today Governor Josh Stein joined Senator Natalie Murdock, the Legislative Black Caucus, and the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services to recognize Black Maternal Health Week and raise awareness of ongoing disparities in maternal and infant health outcomes.

MEDIA ADVISORY — Credentialed media are invited to join NCDHHS leadership, Trillium Health Resources, Southeastern Integrated Care and the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina for a ribbon-cutting at a new adult/child Behavioral Health Urgent Care (BHUC) on Friday, April 17, at noon. Kelly Crosbie, NCDHHS Assistant Secretary for Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Use Disorders, will speak at the event.

MEDIA ADVISORY — Credentialed media are invited to join the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services’ Division of Public Health’s Injury and Violence Prevention Branch (IVPB) for a virtual media availability to introduce the North Carolina Injury Data User Toolkit, a new resource designed to help users better understand, interpret and apply IVPB data in North Carolina. This interactive session on Wednesday, April 15 at 11 a.m. will demonstrate the toolkit’s features and show how IVPB data can be used to improve data literacy and support data-informed decision making.

PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services today announced a $5.7 million investment to increase access to substance use services in North Carolina. Twelve community-based organizations were awarded funding for programs in areas that need it the most.

PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services today announced Maggie Woods as the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) Director to lead North Carolina’s effort in transforming health care and access for more than 3.5 million rural North Carolinians.

PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is working alongside the U.S. Department of Agriculture to help prevent the spread of rabies. Starting in April, Wildlife Services will be distributing oral rabies vaccine for wild raccoons in western North Carolina. This program was postponed from October 2025 due to the federal government shutdown at that time.