Topics Related to Public Health

PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Governor’s Crime Commission announced $750,000 in funding to expand hospital-based violence prevention and intervention programs in North Carolina. Novant Health New Hanover Regional Medical Center was awarded a portion of the funds to support its regional hospital-based violence intervention project and expand its use across its footprint.

PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services today announced the first two reported flu-related deaths of the 2023-24 flu season. Two adults in the western part of the state died due to complications of influenza during the third and fourth weeks of October. One person had tested positive for both influenza and COVID-19. To protect the privacy of both families, additional information will not be released.

MEDIA ADVISORY — Members of the media are invited to speak with North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kody H. Kinsley and other state and hospital leaders Wednesday about measures to reduce firearm violence.

PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services will host a live fireside chat and tele-town hall on Thursday, Nov. 2, from 6 to 7 p.m., to discuss how people can access support to help quit smoking, vaping or using tobacco, as well as other ways they can care for their health and manage stress.

PRESS RELEASE — The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today released an advisory for consumers not to buy or feed WanaBana apple cinnamon fruit puree pouches to toddlers and young children because the product may contain elevated levels of lead. This announcement comes after a joint investigation by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, local health departments, the North Carolina Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services and the FDA.

PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services today announced recent updates to the NC State Health Improvement Plan, which includes priorities for addressing the full set of factors that impact a person’s health and updates data on the progress of improvement.

PRESS RELEASE — Two cases of mpox were reported to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services over the past six weeks, the first cases in North Carolina residents since April 2023. In addition to the two cases, mpox virus was recently detected in one out of 12 wastewater sites where monitoring is being conducted. These cases and wastewater detections were all in different counties, suggesting increased spread of mpox in North Carolina.

MEDIA ADVISORY — In celebration of NC Farm to School and Early Care and Education Month, North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services leaders will join the annual NC Crunch on Wednesday, Oct. 18. NC Crunch recognizes the importance of healthy eating habits in supporting child and family well-being while promoting North Carolina agriculture by crunching into locally grown fruits and vegetables.

PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services will host a live Spanish-language Cafecito and tele-town hall on Thursday, Oct. 12, from 6 to 7 p.m. to discuss common health needs in Hispanic/Latino communities, including the importance of Semana Binacional de Salud, preventative care and breast cancer awareness.

PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Newborn Screening Program has been awarded a federal grant that supports enhancements to the state's newborn screening system. This funding is intended to improve health outcomes for newborns and children with disorders identified through newborn screening, and will improve access to treatment and follow-up care for babies born in North Carolina.