Press Releases

PRESS RELEASE — Governor Josh Stein, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, and the Governor’s Recovery Office for Western NC (GROW NC) announce an additional investment to build on the success of the WNC Thrive initiative, one of many NCDHHS efforts to help children and families recover from the devastating impacts of Hurricane Helene. This announcement brings the total investment in additional resources for children, youth, and families in the 22 counties hit hardest by Helene, including free after-school, weekend, and summer camp programs, to a total of $3.75 million. Participants in the programs receive mental health support to help cope with post-disaster trauma.

PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services has released A Statewide Call to Action to Reduce Cancer in North Carolina: 2025-2030 North Carolina Cancer Plan to address the complex factors and impacts of cancer that affect North Carolinians. It emphasizes reducing disparities among underserved and rural communities that experience higher rates of cancer, disability and death.

PRESS RELEASE — To recognize and raise awareness of safe antibiotic use, Governor Josh Stein has proclaimed the week of November 18-24, 2025, as North Carolina Antibiotic Awareness Week. The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is calling attention to the importance of correct use of antibiotics, and the threat antibiotic resistance poses to people, animals, plants and their shared environment.

PRESS RELEASE — This week, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is celebrating 20 years of QuitlineNC – the state’s free, confidential quit-tobacco service that has helped tens of thousands of North Carolinians quit tobacco for good. Since its launch in 2005 as a telephone helpline, QuitlineNC has expanded to offer support by phone, text, and online video coaching, along with free nicotine replacement therapy such as patches and gum for eligible participants.

MEDIA ADVISORY — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services will host a live fireside chat and tele-town hall on Wednesday, Nov. 19, from 6 to 7 p.m. to discuss ways to defend your family from respiratory illness; who should get updated flu, COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccines; and how to find testing and treatment.

JOINT PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services and North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services are alerting providers, parents and caregivers of an outbreak of infant botulism that prompted a nationwide recall of all ByHeart Inc. Whole Nutrition Infant Formula. As of Nov. 10, 15 infants have been reported with suspected or confirmed infant botulism cases due to exposure to Byheart Whole Nutrition infant formula across 12 states according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. There is one suspected case currently under investigation in North Carolina.

PRESS RELEASE — In recognition of National Diabetes Awareness Month, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services today announced the expansion of the Minority Diabetes Prevention Program — an initiative dedicated to reducing the rising rates of diabetes in certain communities. This program provides culturally responsive education, early screening, and personalized resources to empower individuals at high risk for type 2 diabetes to take control of their health.

PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services today announced the first reported flu-related death of the 2025-2026 flu season. An adult in the western part of the state died due to complications of flu during the first week of October. To protect the privacy of the family, no additional information will be released.

PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services will rescind the State Health Director’s standing orders that allowed people to receive COVID-19 vaccines in pharmacies following the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s approval of updated recommendations that allow for vaccination without a prescription. The standing orders will be rescinded on Monday, Oct. 13, 2025, to give North Carolina pharmacies time to adopt protocols that align with the approved recommendations.

PRESS RELEASE — Governor Josh Stein and NC Health and Human Services Secretary Dev Sangvai got their annual flu shots today at Walgreens in Raleigh, North Carolina and encourage North Carolinians to get vaccinated against seasonal viruses to best protect themselves from serious illness and hospitalization. Flu, COVID-19 and RSV vaccines are available at a variety of locations including pharmacies, where many North Carolinians choose to receive their vaccines. October is a great time to get vaccinated to have the strongest protection during peak respiratory virus season through winter.

PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services today announced Standing Orders issued by State Health Director Dr. Larry Greenblatt to allow pharmacists at retail locations to test and treat for influenza. Beginning on Oct. 1, 2025, pharmacists across the state will be able to test for the influenza virus and then immediately treat with the appropriate medications to reduce severity of illness when appropriate as authorized under House Bill 67.

MEDIA ADVISORY — North Carolina Governor Josh Stein and the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services invite members of the media to attend a virtual press conference at 3:15 p.m. today, Sept. 12, to discuss access to COVID-19 vaccines.

PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Caregiving Workforce Strategic Leadership Council reconvened Thursday, Sept. 11, to celebrate achievements and reaffirm its commitment to strengthen the state’s caregiving workforce, specifically in the fields of nursing, direct care, and mental health and substance use.

PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, in partnership with the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and University of California, San Francisco recently launched the Juul Labs Document Repository, a public archive of nearly 5 million internal company records. This project, funded by North Carolina’s settlement with Juul Labs, offers an inside look at the marketing, product development and business strategies that fueled the youth vaping epidemic.

MEDIA ADVISORY — Credentialed media are invited to attend the unveiling of the first Mobile Opioid Treatment Program (OTP) unit in North Carolina. Mobile OTPs reduce barriers to participation in treatment by making it easier for those seeking treatment to move into and maintain recovery. The mobile unit is sponsored by Morse Clinics opioid treatment programs in North Carolina. Morse Clinics are committed to providing Medication for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD) and counseling services for those experiencing Opioid Use Disorder. Morse Clinics serve Wake, Chatham, Johnston, Halifax, Granville, Franklin, Warren, Northampton, Person, Orange, Randolph, Vance, Harnett and Durham counties.

PRESS RELEASE — As children across North Carolina return to school this month, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services reminds families that vaccinations are an important part of overall health and back-to-school success.

PRESS RELEASE — As summer temperatures continue to soar, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is urging caution when spending time outdoors or in areas that are not air conditioned. Halfway through the summer season, from May 1 to July 12, 2025, NCDHHS has documented more than 3,300 emergency department visits for heat-related illness, the highest number in the last five years. In comparison, there was an average of 1,675 heat-related illness emergency department visits in the same time period in 2020 to 2024.

PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services has announced the state’s first case of disease associated with West Nile virus in 2025. The case occurred in a resident of Durham County. To protect the patient’s privacy, no further information will be provided.

STATEMENT — Today, the U.S. House passed the Senate reconciliation bill. The bill includes significant changes to federal funding for Medicaid, the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) and other public health and social support programs. The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is reviewing the final legislation to determine its full impact on the state and its residents. NCDHHS will provide additional information as more details become available and will remain focused on serving the people of North Carolina.

PRESS RELEASE — North Carolina Health and Human Services Secretary Dev Sangvai toured western North Carolina this week, where he learned more about two critical support programs for people recovering from the devastation left behind by Hurricane Helene.