Press Releases

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 47th annual holiday parade at J. Iverson Riddle Developmental Center will be held on Thursday, Nov. 30, 2023, at 3 p.m. This year’s theme is a “Parade of Songs.” The Center is expecting marching bands, fire trucks, floats and a visit from Santa Claus. This year’s Grand Marshal will be America’s Got Talent Semi-Finalist Dani Kerr.

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 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.

MEDIA ADVISORY — North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kody H. Kinsley and Dr. Miriam Delphin-Rittmon, Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and Administrator of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), will be celebrating North Carolina’s first Collegiate Recovery Program and its successes during a visit to UNC Charlotte. The Charlotte program began 11 years ago and is one of 18 Collegiate Recovery Programs supported by NCDHHS. There are approximately 30 total collegiate recovery programs across the state.

PRESS RELEASE — Today the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services began contacting up to 300,000 people who are enrolled in Medicaid’s limited Family Planning program and who are eligible for full NC Medicaid benefits starting Dec. 1. Text messages, phone calls and emails will be sent by the department starting today letting those eligible know to look out for a letter from their local Department of Social Services.

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.

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 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.