PRESS RELEASE — After conducting water quality monitoring along Lake Gaston and the waters that feed into the lake, and in coordination with Virginia partners of observations of the plume, officials have determined that no contaminants have reached North Carolina waters at a measurable level. Based on sampling and observations from both Virginia and North Carolina environmental officials, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services recommended local health departments in the areas surrounding Lake Gaston lift recreational and fish consumption advisories for the Roanoke River near the North Carolina state line sent on July 13.
Press Releases
Press Release — The North Carolina State Emergency Response Team is in close coordination with agencies in Virginia regarding the ongoing environmental issue resulting from the South Hill, VA Warehouse Fire that occurred on July 6, 2024. The warehouse facility contained a large quantity of agricultural chemicals and runoff from the firefighting efforts has entered several water systems in southern Virginia, including the Meherrin River from its confluence with Mountain Creek, and the Miles and Dockery Creeks, upstream of the Roanoke River (Lake Gaston).
PRESS RELEASE — As temperatures remain high, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is encouraging residents to enjoy recreational waters safely and be aware of possible health risks, including harmful algal blooms. Certain infections are also more common during summer such as primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM), vibriosis and cryptosporidiosis.
MEDIA ADVISORY — As part of the national “Summer of Giving,” North Carolina Health and Human Services Secretary Kody H. Kinsley will be donating blood on Wednesday, July 10, at The Blood Connection in Raleigh. The Blood Connection, in partnership with GLAAD, has joined the national “Summer of Giving” blood drive campaign to encourage all eligible individuals to donate.
PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services continues to respond to the recent increase in syphilis and congenital syphilis cases with NC Medicaid now covering point of care rapid testing for syphilis and HIV. This new coverage, effective Jan. 1, 2024, allows Medicaid recipients to access rapid testing directly from their Medicaid-enrolled provider.
PRESS RELEASE— The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services will host a live, Spanish-language Cafecito and tele-town hall on Thursday, May 30, from 6 to 7 p.m., to discuss vaping prevention for youth in North Carolina as well as ways parents and caregivers can support their families.
PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services will host a live fireside chat and tele-town hall on Wednesday, May 29, from 6 to 7 p.m., to discuss vaping prevention and resources for youth in North Carolina as well as ways parents and caregivers can support their families.
PRESS RELEASE — As summer approaches, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is emphasizing the importance of safe swimming, heat safety and safe grilling practices to help prevent illness, injury and death. May is National Water Safety Month, and May 20-26, 2024, is the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s 20th annual Healthy and Safe Swimming Week. NCDHHS is encouraging families and individuals to focus on safety as everyone gathers for outdoor activities in anticipation of Memorial Day.
PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services will host a live, Spanish-language Cafecito and tele-town hall on Tuesday, May 21, from 6 to 7 p.m., to discuss maternal health in North Carolina and provide resources to support physical and mental well-being before, during and after pregnancy.
MEDIA ADVISORY — In honor of Women’s Health Week, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is celebrating the expansion of contraceptive services in independent and chain pharmacies across the state. Soon people statewide will be able to receive contraceptive services at pharmacies without a prescription from another medical provider, including counseling and education from a pharmacist about options for contraception and other preventive services, dispensing of contraception and connection to ongoing care if needed.
PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services will host a live Spanish-language Cafecito and tele-town hall on Tues., April 30, from 6 to 7 p.m., to discuss cancer prevention, guidance, resources and care for the Hispanic/Latino community.
MEDIA ADVISORY — Leaders from the NC Department of Health and Human Services, NC Department of Public Instruction and State Board of Education will join a roundtable with Guilford County Schools on Wednesday, April 24, to discuss the importance of school-based resources in improving physical and behavioral health outcomes for North Carolina children and families. NCDHHS received a historic $835 million to transform behavioral health care in North Carolina, with $80 million specifically focused on children and family well-being. Of that funding, this year, NCDHHS is investing $7 million in services like school-based telehealth to ensure children have better access to behavioral health support and treatment.
MEDIA ADVISORY — The 32nd annual North Carolina Paramedic Competition will take place Sunday, April 28, at the Joseph S. Koury Convention Center. Six groups from across the state will complete for the title of Top Paramedic Team, including the reigning champions Pender EMS. The competition occurs during the annual NC Emergency Medical Services Expo.
PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services will host a live fireside chat and tele-town hall on Tuesday, April 23, from 6 to 7 p.m., to discuss human papillomavirus (HPV) prevention as well as HPV-related cancer guidance, resources and care.
PRESS RELEASE — As indicated by the North Carolina Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services, Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza was detected in a dairy herd in North Carolina. HPAI was previously detected in dairy herds in Texas, Kansas, Michigan, Idaho, New Mexico and Ohio. The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services today issued the following statement in regard to public health concerns:
PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is reporting a statewide increase in mpox cases. Over the past six months, 45 cases have been reported in 12 counties across North Carolina.
PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is celebrating two years of the Healthy Opportunities Pilots in North Carolina and announcing the intent to expand these life-saving services statewide. The Healthy Opportunities Pilots is a first-of-its-kind innovative program that is described as a “life changer” for thousands of North Carolina families. The program addresses people’s social needs with services like food, housing, transportation and services related to interpersonal violence and toxic stress. Preliminary research also shows a significant savings in medical costs to the state of North Carolina from Healthy Opportunities Pilots participants.
PRESS RELEASE — As warmer weather approaches, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is urging North Carolinians to “Fight the Bite” by taking measures to reduce their risk of tick- and mosquito-borne diseases. In 2023, almost 900 cases of tick- and mosquito-borne illnesses were reported across the state.
PRESS RELEASE — As part of the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services’ ongoing effort to respond to the rise in syphilis and congenital syphilis cases and increase access to treatment, NC Medicaid will now cover an additional treatment for syphilis and congenital syphilis, Extencilline. This new coverage is being added to address the ongoing national shortage of Penicillin G Benzathine (Bicillin L-A), the first-line treatment for syphilis. In response to this additional resource being offered for people in North Carolina, State Health Director and NCDHHS Chief Medical Officer Dr. Elizabeth Cuervo Tilson released this statement:
PRESS RELEASE — Approximately 6,800 people in North Carolina have sickle cell disease, of which approximately 95% are Black or African American. This health disparity is paralleled at the national level with more than 100,000 people across the country battling this painful illness. New therapies offer an opportunity to provide long needed relief to these individuals and close long-standing disparities in our country.