Press Releases

PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Rural Health is proud to join communities across the nation in celebrating National Rural Health Day today, Nov. 20.

PRESS RELEASE — To encourage and support more registered nurses to serve in rural areas, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is providing the opportunity for tax-free educational loan repayments. This new North Carolina Nurse Initiative is available to qualifying nurses committed to delivering high-quality care in safety net organizations and private practices in underserved areas across the state.

PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services announced today it will begin preparing to submit its application to receive funding from the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP). The program is part of H.R. 1, a federal bill signed into law by President Trump in July to address rural health concerns due to federal cuts to the Medicaid program.

PRESS RELEASE — As Kody H. Kinsley closes out his tenure as North Carolina’s Secretary of Health and Human Services, the department celebrates the lasting accomplishments achieved under his leadership. Guided by his vision to make the health system easier to navigate for families and more effective at promoting health, Secretary Kinsley drove collaboration across the department and with broad coalitions of external partners to deliver on foundational changes that will improve health for generations to come.

PRESS RELEASE — To commemorate National Rural Health Day on Nov. 21, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Rural Health is proud to announce the annual Community Star award winner.

PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services today published the 2024 Health Disparities Analysis Report. The report offers a comprehensive view of the effects of health disparities on health outcomes across North Carolina and highlights opportunities for improvement and action.

PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services will host a live Spanish-language Cafecito and tele-town hall on Thursday, March 21, from 6 to 7 p.m., to discuss how rural and farmworker communities can support their health and access resources across the state.

PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services will host a live Cafecito and tele-town hall on Thursday, Jan. 11, from 6 to 7 p.m., to discuss Medicaid expansion, who is newly eligible, ways to apply and which qualified immigration statuses are eligible for health care coverage.

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services' Office of Rural Health is proud to recognize the selfless, community-minded spirit of health professionals and volunteers in communities across the state during National Rural Health Day 2023. National Rural Health Day falls on the third Thursday in November each year and recognizes the efforts of those serving the health needs of residents in rural areas, including those who serve the 4.6 million people living in one of the 70 rural counties across North Carolina.

MEDIA ADVISORY — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Rural Health, the first Office of Rural Health in the nation, is “Honoring the Past, Celebrating the Present and Embracing the Future” as they celebrate 50 years serving North Carolina’s rural communities on Thursday, Nov. 16.