Displaying items by tag: NCDHHS

RALEIGH — As North Carolinians start their summer voyages to beaches, lakes, rivers and pools this holiday weekend, officials at the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services offer suggestions to maximize the health benefits of swimming and other water-based activities while minimizing the risk of illness, injury and death. Everyone can play a role in preventing illnesses and injuries when they swim, play and relax in the water — this summer and year-round.

RALEIGH — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is advising people to not eat or serve certain Jif brand peanut butter products that are being recalled due to potential Salmonella contamination.

RALEIGH — Months after a baby formula shortage started, 78,000 pounds of infant formula arrived from Europe Sunday night by military transport plane. It is the first of several flights planned in "Operation Fly Formula" ordered by the Biden administration, but it comes after months of shortages that have led to hoarding, empty shelves, and near panic as parents across the country try to feed their infants. Current data show that North Carolina's formula stock rate is nearly half of the normal level. One can of powdered formula lasts about four days for an average infant feeding schedule.

RALEIGH — Children ages 5 to 11 years old can receive a COVID-19 booster five months after the date of their most recent Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine dose. 

RALEIGH — Amidst the nationwide infant formula shortage, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is connecting families with resources and sharing recommendations to help navigate supply issues safely. NCDHHS is also broadening access to formula for families who use the federal Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children.

RALEIGH — It is estimated there are more than 227,000 people living with viral hepatitis in North Carolina, and approximately half of people with chronic hepatitis are unaware of their infection. Long-term viral hepatitis infection raises the risk of liver cancer and end stage liver disease. Due to the high prevalence and underdiagnosis of viral hepatitis, the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services recognizes May as Hepatitis Awareness Month and May 19 as Hepatitis Testing Day.

RALEIGH — Next week, North Carolina’s youngest children who are eligible for food assistance benefits will begin to receive extra monthly benefits tied to the COVID-19 pandemic for the 2021-2022 school year. North Carolina is among the first states in the nation to receive approval from the U.S. Department of Agriculture for a 2021-2022 Child Care Pandemic Electronic Benefits Transfer food assistance program.

RALEIGH — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services today published "Governmental Public Health: Workforce and Infrastructure Improvement in Action," a review of the public health workforce and infrastructure across North Carolina. The paper provides an overview of select programs and opportunities within the NCDHHS Division of Public Health that aim to strengthen the public health infrastructure and support workforce development while reducing disparities and advancing equity.

RALEIGH — More timely access to death certificate data through a new electronic reporting system is giving North Carolinians a more comprehensive picture of COVID-19-related deaths, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services today announced.

RALEIGH — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services’ Division of Aging and Adult Services is partnering with the N.C. Area Agencies on Aging and local service providers to distribute fans to eligible recipients through Operation Fan Heat Relief May 1–Oct. 31.