PRESS RELEASE — A dangerous heat wave is expected in North Carolina this Fourth of July Weekend. High temperatures will likely exceed 100 degrees and, combined with humidity, could feel like 110 degrees. The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is urging caution when spending time outdoors or in areas that are not air conditioned and encourages people to drink plenty of water and be alert for signs of heat-related illness. NCDHHS has already documented more than 1,808 emergency department visits for heat-related illness between May 1 to June 28, 2026, which is above the
Press Releases
PRESS RELEASE — Today Governor Josh Stein signed an executive order to make health care more affordable for all North Carolinians. Executive Order No. 39 establishes the Health Care Affordability Commission, made up of health care experts from across the health care landscape, including medical providers, hospitals, insurers, researchers, and patient advocates. The commission, co-chaired by North Carolina State Treasurer Brad Briner and NC Secretary of Health and Human Services Dev Sangvai, will develop timely, concrete solutions to rein in surging health care costs.
PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services and the North Carolina Department of Information Technology today announced three new programs to improve the digital infrastructure of rural health care through new digital solutions and tools. This partnership advances statewide implementation of NC’s Rural Health Transformation Program (NCRHTP) digital health and technology initiative, funded by the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services today announced text and chat options are now available on the North Carolina Peer Warmline, a 24/7 crisis response service operated by Promise Resource Network.
PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services today announced that it will provide $10 million to 39 local EMS agencies through the NC Rural Health Transformation Program. The funds awarded by the NCDHHS Office of Emergency Medical Services for Mobile Integrated Health will strengthen the EMS workforce and expand rural communities’ access to mental health and substance use disorder treatment and services.
PRESS RELEASE — North Carolina’s innovative Healthy Opportunities Pilots (HOP) reduced health care costs by an average of $164 per month for NC Medicaid beneficiaries, according to the results of a study announced today by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. The study, conducted by the Cecil G. Sheps Center for Health Services Research at the University of North Carolina, found the program led to a significant shift in patient care. HOP participants had fewer emergency department visits and hospital stays and more visits with less-expensive outpatient providers like
PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services today announced the first round of SUN Bucks benefits for summer 2026 will reach more than 1 million children, with $121 million distributed to eligible families across the state in this first issuance alone.
PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services reminds residents to enjoy outdoor activities safely this summer season. As warmer weather arrives, NCDHHS is sharing tips on water safety, heat protection and food safety to help prevent illness, injury and death.
MEDIA ADVISORY — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services will hold a virtual media availability at 12:30 p.m. today with public health leadership who will be available to answer questions as North Carolina closely monitors the hantavirus outbreak on board the M/V Hondius.
PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is closely monitoring the recent hantavirus outbreak on board the M/V Hondius. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has confirmed one person from North Carolina was on board and evacuated with all remaining United States passengers to the University of Nebraska Medical Center’s National Quarantine Unit. To protect their privacy, no further details will be shared about this individual. There are no current cases of hantavirus in North Carolina. The risk of infection in North Carolina remains extremely low.