Press Releases

With back-to-school season approaching, health officials are reminding North Carolinians to ensure their preteens and teenagers are current on their vaccinations.

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is partnering with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Bladen and Cumberland county health departments to test the blood and urine of up to 30 residents living near Chemours’ Fayetteville Works facility for the presence of GenX and 16 other per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, also known as PFAS.

Governor Cooper today announced $1.5 million in grant awards to 12 community partners to implement projects that combat the opioid crisis by advancing the goals of the NC Opioid Action Plan.

Following press reports of numerous infant deaths associated with Baby+Co’s birthing center in Cary, North Carolina, Baby+Co agreed to a voluntary review of their clinical standards and operations by the NC Division of Health Service Regulation (DHSR) at the NC Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). Today, DHSR released its report on that review, which identified significant concerns regarding medical oversight and supervision of nurse midwives, the criteria used to admit and discharge patients, after-hours staffing, laboratory operations, documentation, and staff orientation and training.

North Carolina health officials are investigating the cause of severe bleeding in a patient following possible use of synthetic cannabinoids. The severe bleeding was caused by a condition that reduces the blood’s ability to clot.

North Carolina teen tobacco use continues to climb, with youth use rising by 1.2 percent to 28.8 percent based on results of the 2017 N.C. Youth Tobacco Survey, released today by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services

The Centers of Medicare and Medicaid Services released its first-ever Medicaid Scorecard intended to advance a longer-term goal to improve understanding of Medicaid performance nationally. The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services supports this effort and looks forward to working with CMS to improve the accuracy and comparability of the measures.

A data dashboard developed by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services shows the state is beginning to see success in its efforts to combat the opioid crisis. The oversupply of prescription opioids is being reduced and access to treatment and recovery services has increased.

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services’ Division of Aging and Adult Services is partnering with the N.C. Area Agencies on Aging and local service providers to distribute fans through Operation Fan Heat Relief until Oct. 31.

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is encouraging people to speak with their physician or local health department about hepatitis A and B vaccine, viral hepatitis screenings and treatment options.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture today approved a one-day extension for eligible Guilford County residents to apply for Disaster Food and Nutrition Services benefits. The one-day extension, which came at the request of county officials, means that Guilford County residents can apply for benefits on Tuesday at the Guilford County Department of Social Services.

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services today released a policy paper with information for health care providers regarding the transition to Medicaid managed care, expected to launch in 2019.

Across North Carolina, 5,717 individuals--nearly four times the first-year goal--have benefited since May 2017 from a federal grant aimed at helping battle an opioid crisis that is killing nearly four people a day in this state, Governor Roy Cooper reported today.

Governor Roy Cooper's request for temporary food and nutrition benefits for Guilford and Rockingham county residents affected by the April 15 tornado has been approved by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. That clears the way for tornado survivors in those counties to apply for temporary Disaster Food and Nutrition Services benefits.

QuitlineNC, North Carolina's telephone service that helps people quit smoking and other tobacco use, is offering eight weeks of nicotine patches combined with either nicotine gum or lozenges for free until the end of the month or while supplies lasts.

Each year, tens of thousands of children and their families in North Carolina face the challenges of living with mental health issues and seeking treatment and care. Governor Roy Cooper has declared today as Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day, an observance related to Mental Health Month, also observed during May.

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services has been approved by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to begin a pilot project in Cumberland, Durham, Johnston and Wake counties to offer rehabilitation services for adults who have suffered traumatic brain injury on or after their 22nd birthday.

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services’ State Center for Health Statistics has created an interactive map with a series of overlays showing social determinants of health indicators in North Carolina, including the economic, social and neighborhood, and housing and transportation status of residents across the state.

The important contributions of North Carolina’s strong public health system are highlighted this month by a proclamation from Governor Roy Cooper designating April as Public Health Month. Public health departments provide flu vaccines, screen for health issues, take precautions to keep disease from spreading and promote tobacco cessation efforts. 

North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services employees and partners are recognizing the Month of the Young Child with events across the state to support the 250,000 young children enrolled in child care centers and family child care homes across the state.