Press Releases

NCDHHS Officials Advise North Carolinians to Get Vaccinated as Flu Season Begins

Health officials with the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services are encouraging North Carolina residents to protect themselves, their families and other people around them by getting vaccinated against Influenza as the state enters flu season.

NC Medicaid Managed Care Open Enrollment Begins Statewide

Open enrollment for Medicaid Managed Care begins statewide today. Most people who receive Medicaid can choose a health plan and primary care provider to deliver their Medicaid services as part of the state’s transformation to managed care. Today’s announcement expands open enrollment from the initial 27 counties that launched mid-July to all 100 counties and an additional 860,000 people. Open enrollment ends for everyone on Dec. 13, 2019, and coverage is scheduled to begin Feb. 1, 2020.

NCDHHS Releases New Information on the Legionnaires' Disease Outbreak in WNC

Officials with the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services’ Division of Public Health today released an interim report and FAQ related to the investigation into the Legionnaire’s disease outbreak associated with the NC Mountain State Fair.

Carolina Complete Health Awarded Additional Region in Medicaid Managed Care

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services has expanded the regions awarded to Carolina Complete Health Inc. to serve as a prepaid health plan under the state's transition to Medicaid managed care. In addition to serving regions 3 and 5 in the state, the provider-led health plan will also serve region 4.

Mecklenburg EMS Team Judged North Carolina's Best for 2019

A team from Mecklenburg Emergency Medical Services Agency took top honors in the 29th Annual Paramedic Competition, held Sunday in Greensboro during the North Carolina EMS Expo, a conference that brings together North Carolina paramedics, emergency medical technicians and county emergency services directors.

Mumps Outbreak Reported at Two Triad Area University Campuses

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is encouraging all North Carolinians to make sure they are up to date on their vaccines in light of recent mumps cases at two Triad area universities.

North Carolina Provides Crisis Counseling to Over 200,000 People Impacted by Hurricane Florence

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services today announced that over 200,000 people impacted by Hurricane Florence have been served through the Hope 4 NC behavioral health crisis counseling program since September 2018.

North Carolina Receives Maternal Health Innovation Grant to Strengthen Perinatal Care

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services has received federal funding that will support a key goal of the state's Early Childhood Action Plan and the Perinatal Health Strategic Plan, reducing maternal mortality. A total of $10 million was awarded through the State Maternal Health Innovation Program from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration.

Funding Available for Rural Health Care Providers Post-Hurricane Florence

The NC Office of Rural Health (ORH) has received a one-time $1 million grant from Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust to support health care providers in 34 FEMA-identified counties affected by Hurricane Florence.

DHHS Recommends Continued Mosquito Precautions to Prevent Illness

State health officials are encouraging residents and visitors to take precautions to prevent mosquito-borne illnesses this fall.

NC Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services Helps More Than 5,000 Find Jobs in 2018

Last year the NC Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services (DVRS) helped more than 5,000 individuals with disabilities find competitive, integrated employment.

Statement from NCDHHS Secretary Mandy Cohen, M.D., on NC House Budget Veto Override

The budget and the House vote process are profoundly disappointing. In a time of a surplus, this budget makes massive cuts to DHHS that will potentially impact everything from health inspections of restaurants to the safety of drinking water to child protective services. This budget harms the people of North Carolina and fails to protect basic health and safety services that millions of people take for granted.

Avoid Carbon Monoxide Poisoning During and After Hurricane Dorian

As North Carolinians prepare for Hurricane Dorian, officials with the North Carolina Division of Public Health caution you not to use gasoline-powered generators, outdoor grills and camp stoves in enclosed spaces.

How to Keep Wells Safe Before and After Flood

North Carolinians can take action to better prepare private wells for a flood ahead of Hurricane Dorian, even if you are making plans to evacuate. The Division of Public Health has issued guidance to help keep your well safe before and after a flood.

NCDHHS Extends Open Enrollment for Medicaid Beneficiaries, Announces Statewide Move to Managed Care in February

The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) announced today that it will extend open enrollment for Medicaid beneficiaries and move to a statewide transition to managed care on February 1, 2020.

DHHS shared the following announcement:

NC Opioid Overdose Deaths Drop for First Time in 5 Years

For the first time in five years the number of unintentional opioid-related overdose deaths among North Carolina residents has fallen.

NCDHHS Dedicates New Broughton Hospital Building

North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services officials joined other state and local officials today to dedicate the new Broughton Hospital, one of the state's three  acute care psychiatric hospitals.

Three Hospitalizations Among Patients Who Reported Vaping

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is investigating recent reports of severe lung disease after vaping. Three patients have been hospitalized in North Carolina since late July and similar cases have been reported from other states, including Wisconsin, Illinois, California and Minnesota. No deaths have been reported.

Test Results Show Highest Toxic Algae Levels Recorded in Chowan River this Year

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is urging the public to stay out of the Chowan River near Indian Creek because of an algal bloom producing the highest levels of toxin recorded this year.

Make Sure Your Child Is Up-To-Date on Vaccines Before School Starts

As teachers, parents and students are preparing for the start of the 2019–2020 school year, public health officials with the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services are reminding North Carolinians to ensure their children, especially teens and preteens, are current on their vaccinations.