PRESS RELEASE — Following the Aug. 10, 2026, Executive Order on childhood vaccines, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services reaffirms the importance of vaccines to protect children and encourages parents and caregivers to consult their pediatricians or health care providers. State Health Director and NCDHHS Chief Medical Officer Dr. Larry Greenblatt made the following statement:
Press Releases
PRESS RELEASE — Today during National Farmers Market Week, Governor Josh Stein and Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Dev Sangvai visited the Durham Farmers’ Market to highlight the SUN Bucks program, which provides nutritious food for more than a million North Carolina children throughout the summer. While private philanthropies have stepped in during past years to help the state cover its share to activate the federal program, this year’s budget includes state funding to operate SUN Bucks in the summer of 2027.
PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is investigating the state’s first case of disease associated with West Nile virus in 2026. The case occurred in a resident of Gaston County. Additionally, a West Nile virus-positive blood donor was identified in Mecklenburg County through routine screening. To protect the privacy of these individuals, no further information will be provided at this time.
PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services today announced the formation of the NC Rural Health Transformation Program’s Advisory Committee. This Committee includes more than 40 members representing community organizations, health care providers, elected officials and other partners that will help guide our work in improving access to care in rural North Carolina
PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services today announced additional cases of cyclosporiasis in North Carolina, bringing the total to 718 cases and 24 hospitalizations since May 1, 2026. To provide the public with updated information, NCDHHS has launched a new Cyclosporiasis Cases and Outbreaks Dashboard that will be updated on Tuesdays with the latest information.
PRESS RELEASE — North Carolinians living with a traumatic brain injury (TBI) will have better access to services and a stronger support system under a new plan from the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services.
MEDIA ADVISORY — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services will hold a virtual media availability on Tuesday, July 21, at 2 p.m. with public health leaders to discuss the latest increase of cases in cyclosporiasis and preventative measures the public can take to stay safe.
MEDIA ADVISORY — NC Health and Human Services Secretary Dev Sangvai and North Carolina State Treasurer Brad Briner to hold the first meeting of the Health Care Affordability Commission on Tuesday, July 21, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The meeting is open to the public and will be streamed live on the NCDHHS YouTube page.
PRESS RELEASE — As North Carolina continues to see elevated cyclosporiasis cases, NCDHHS, in collaboration with the NC Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services (NCDA&CS) and local partners, is continuing work to identify potential sources of cyclospora stemming from specific ingredients used frequently at homes and in restaurants. NCDHHS encourages North Carolinians and restaurants to practice proper safety precautions to prevent contracting the parasite.
PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is recognizing the 4th anniversary of the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. Since 2022, North Carolinians are reaching out more with usage of 988 more than doubling since launch. Simultaneously, NCDHHS has improved its ability to respond to individuals experiencing a mental health crisis.
PRESS RELEASE — North Carolina is among dozens of states across the United States experiencing an increase in cyclosporiasis cases. From May 1 to July 14, 2026, 307 cases of cyclosporiasis and 13 hospitalizations have been reported in North Carolina. Case counts will be updated weekly on Tuesdays. North Carolina has experienced a consistent level of cyclospora cases from 2024 to 2026, with 2024 marking an uptick in cases from years prior. Although a single product has not been identified as the source of the cases in North Carolina, NCDHHS is working with local partners to keep North Carolinians informed.
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 average of 1,363 heat-related illness emergency department visits in the same time period in 2021 to 2025.
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 primary care practices.
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.