Press Releases

In recognition, DHHS Secretary Mandy Cohen, M.D., today visited the Advance Community Health Center in Raleigh and Gov. Roy Cooper signed a proclamation designating the third week of August as National Health Center Week in North Carolina.
According to North Carolina's Acting State Health Director, Kelly Kimple, MD, MPH, breastfeeding has long- and short-term benefits that include lowering the risk of acute conditions such as respiratory and ear infections, more serious chronic diseases like diabetes and asthma or even Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
The new technology will also enable cross-county communication when families move across county lines, with the goal of better protecting the more than 11,000 children and youth in foster care and 125,000 children who receive Child Protective Services assessments each year.
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services today released a detailed proposed design for transforming the state Medicaid and NC Health Choice programs to managed care, as directed by the North Carolina General Assembly in 2015. DHHS is accepting comments on this proposal through Sept. 8, 2017.
In response to the ongoing investigation into the compound GenX and drinking water in the Cape Fear region, Governor Cooper announced that the Department of Environmental Quality and Department of Health and Human Services would request critical funding to support additional scientists, engineers and health professionals to ensure water testing and protection statewide.
The advisory was issued following a review of fish tissue data for the hybrid striped bass that found elevated levels of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in hybrid striped bass in this waterway.
The hottest temperatures of the summer are forecast to hit parts of North Carolina over the next three days, pushing thermometers to the vicinity of triple digits and stressing people and pets. Temperatures in much of the state are expected to reach the upper 90s with heat indexes topping 100 degrees Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Data from samples collected June 19 and July 6 show that the most recent results of finished, or treated, water in all but one facility were below the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services' health goal of 140 parts per trillion. The data also reveal that concentrations of GenX are trending downward.
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is strengthening its contracts by seeking improved outcomes from the organizations that manage behavioral health care services supported with Medicaid and state mental health funds.

Statement from N.C. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Mandy Cohen, M.D., about status of mental health, substance use and developmental disabilities services to residents of Nash County:

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) examined data from the North Carolina Central Cancer Registry and shared a summary of that analysis earlier today with four local health department directors.
The new beds will help reduce travel distances to inpatient beds and decrease wait times for individuals in emergency departments who need inpatient behavioral health care. At least half of the beds will serve people who are unable to pay for care, or have Medicaid, Medicare, or TRICARE.
Based on preliminary data, 172 new cases of hepatitis B and 186 new cases of hepatitis C were reported across the state in 2016. An estimated 110,000 to 150,000 North Carolinians have a chronic hepatitis C infection, and 25,000 to 66,000 have a chronic hepatitis B infection.
North Carolina is a recipient of more than $31 million to address the opioid crisis through the 21st Century Cures Act, State Targeted Response to the Opioid Crisis Grants.
The North Carolina Division of Public Health is encouraging North Carolinians to make sure they are up-to-date on their vaccines after seven mumps cases were identified in North Carolina residents in April.

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is seeking additional public input on the transformation of the Medicaid and NC Health Choice programs.

The Weatherization Assistance Program helps low-income families save on energy and expenses by installing materials that create a safe, comfortable and energy-efficient home environment.

State health officials are encouraging North Carolinians to protect themselves against sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) as a part of Sexually Transmitted Diseases Awareness Month, observed in April.

Twenty flu deaths were reported in North Carolina for the week ending March 11, according to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. 

An additional 17 flu deaths were reported in North Carolina for the week ending March 4, according to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. Flu activity has started to decrease but the virus is still widespread in the state.