Press Releases

PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is reporting the first pediatric flu-related death for the 2025-2026 flu season. A child in the western region of the state recently died due to complications of influenza. To protect the family’s privacy, additional information will not be released.

PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services and Wake County Public Health have been informed of a confirmed measles case in a person who traveled through Terminal 2 of the Raleigh-Durham International Airport last week while infectious. This person, who is a resident of another state, arrived at the terminal for an early morning flight on Dec. 10, 2025. To protect the individual’s privacy, additional information about this case will not be released. There is no known health risk at the Raleigh-Durham International Airport at this time. Public health officials are recommending all unvaccinated individuals ages one year and older receive measles vaccination to protect themselves and those around them. Measles vaccine is also recommended for infants 6-11 months who will be traveling internationally or to areas with active measles outbreaks.

Press Release — Ahead of Radon Action Month in January, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is releasing county-level data and resources on radon levels across the state. In North Carolina, radon is the number one environmental cause of lung cancer, and an estimated 480 residents die each year due to radon-induced lung cancer. Persons who have smoked at least 100 cigarettes in their lives are ten times more susceptible to the impacts of radon.

PRESS RELEASE — Today Governor Stein is directing the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) to restore Medicaid reimbursement rates to September 30, 2025, levels. The legislature’s failure to fully fund Medicaid forced cuts to the program in October, and the months-long budget stalemate between the legislative chambers has resulted in a wave of litigation against the state. Recent court orders have now made it untenable to continue with rate reductions.

PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is reporting an increase in flu activity and flu-related deaths. Three flu-related deaths were reported during the past week, bringing the total number of deaths this season to nine. This is a greater number of flu-related deaths so far compared to this time last season. North Carolina reported 542 flu-related deaths for the 2024-2025 respiratory virus season which was the highest number of statewide flu deaths recorded since reporting began in 2009. No flu-related deaths in children have been reported in North Carolina so far this season.

PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services has received funding for the 2026 Low Income Home and Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) from federal partners. While the funding was delayed following the federal government shutdown, NCDHHS and county staff have been preparing so they would be ready to open for new Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP) applications once federal funds were received. LIEAP and the Crisis Intervention Program (CIP) are two programs supported by LIHEAP block grant funding. North Carolinians who are eligible for LIEAP assistance and did not receive an auto-renewal or notice of automated payment can apply for benefits starting on December 10, 2025.

PRESS RELEASE — To address the severe staffing shortage that is a key contributor to the state’s child care crisis, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) is partnering with 16 North Carolina institutions of higher learning to establish "Child Care Academies," a shortened intensive training and certification that prepares participants for careers in child care at no cost to them. This workforce initiative is funded by the Division of Child Development and Early Education using funds from a federal Preschool Development Grant.

PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Health and Human Services initiative called Project Spark is launching 10 new locations across the state to expand access to the services and supports that help individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) be successful in finding competitive integrated employment (CIE). CIE means working in the community alongside other employees without disabilities, earning at least minimum wage and getting the same workplace benefits and opportunities as other employees doing the same job. A non-CIE work setting is an organization or environment that employs people with disabilities separate from people without disabilities and may pay individuals less than minimum wage.

PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services today announced the launch of the Licensed Workforce Loan Repayment Program, a $20 million initiative to recruit and retain licensed professionals who provide mental health, substance use, intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), and traumatic brain injury (TBI) services in rural and underserved communities.

PRESS RELEASE — Today Governor Stein and the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services celebrate two years since the implementation of Medicaid expansion in North Carolina. More than 690,000 newly eligible North Carolinians have gained access to affordable health care through Medicaid expansion, including veterans and workers in child care, construction, hospitality, home health care, and other industries essential to our state’s success.

PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services today announced the launch of the Children and Families Specialty Plan (CFSP), a first of its kind statewide health plan to ensure access to comprehensive physical and mental health services for Medicaid-enrolled children, youth and young adults currently and formerly served by the child welfare system. With approval from and at the direction of the North Carolina General Assembly and in partnership with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (Blue Cross NC), the CFSP went live on Dec. 1, 2025. The name of the plan is Healthy Blue Care Together.

PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) earlier this month submitted its Rural Health Transformation Plan to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). The plan demonstrates how the state could use $200 million in federal funding annually over five years to improve health across 85 of North Carolina’s 100 counties. CMS is expected to announce funding decisions by December 31, 2025.

PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services today announced the opening of the state’s second Mobile Opioid Treatment Program. The unit is operated by New Season Treatment Center in Greensboro and will serve Greensboro and surrounding areas in the Triad. Mobile OTPs dispense medicine for people with a substance use disorder, which is considered the most effective treatment. Morse Clinics launched the first mobile OTP unit in Wake County in the summer.

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 — The 49th annual holiday parade at the J. Iverson Riddle Developmental Center (JIRDC) will begin at 3 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025. Residents and staff invite the entire community to enjoy the parade as the center celebrates "Storybook Holiday Parade." Marching bands, fire trucks, and floats are expected to participate as well as a special appearance by Santa Claus from the North Pole.

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.

PRESS RELEASE — Update: As of Nov. 13, 2025, the Oral Rabies Vaccination Program bait distribution over western North Carolina has been postponed to spring 2026. NCDHHS will provide updates as they become available in the coming months.