Press Releases

PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is reporting the first pediatric flu-related death for the 2023-2024 flu season. A child in the western part of the state recently died from complications associated with influenza infection. To protect the family’s privacy, additional information will not be released.

PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Advisory Committee on Cancer Coordination and Control, the second oldest state cancer coalition in the nation, will celebrate 30 years of vigorous efforts to reduce North Carolina’s cancer burden on Friday, Nov. 17.

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.

PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is issuing a public health alert following five stillbirths or neonatal deaths in babies with congenital syphilis born between Jan. 1, 2023, and Sept. 1, 2023. This alert follows a provider memo issued last week by NCDHHS asking for health care providers’ help to prevent congenital syphilis and reverse the alarming trend. Previous provider memos from NCDHHS were released Dec. 20, 2022, Nov. 15, 2021, and Nov. 9, 2018.

PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services will host a live Cafecito and tele-town hall on Tuesday, Nov. 14, from 6 to 7 p.m., to discuss diabetes prevention, management and support available for Hispanic/Latino communities across North Carolina, as well as the importance of staying up to date on regular health visits and vaccinations.

PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services today announced the first two reported flu-related deaths of the 2023-24 flu season. Two adults in the western part of the state died due to complications of influenza during the third and fourth weeks of October. One person had tested positive for both influenza and COVID-19. To protect the privacy of both families, additional information will not be released.

PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Governor’s Crime Commission announced $750,000 in funding to expand hospital-based violence prevention and intervention programs in North Carolina. Novant Health New Hanover Regional Medical Center was awarded a portion of the funds to support its regional hospital-based violence intervention project and expand its use across its footprint.

PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services will host a live fireside chat and tele-town hall on Thursday, Nov. 2, from 6 to 7 p.m., to discuss how people can access support to help quit smoking, vaping or using tobacco, as well as other ways they can care for their health and manage stress.

MEDIA ADVISORY — Members of the media are invited to speak with North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kody H. Kinsley and other state and hospital leaders Wednesday about measures to reduce firearm violence.

PRESS RELEASE — The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today released an advisory for consumers not to buy or feed WanaBana apple cinnamon fruit puree pouches to toddlers and young children because the product may contain elevated levels of lead. This announcement comes after a joint investigation by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, local health departments, the North Carolina Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services and the FDA.