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| NCDHHS Secretary Kody Kinsley commemorates Pride Month 2023 and shares how NCDHHS is addressing health disparities within LGBTQ+ communities. |
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NCDHHS’ Sickle Cell Syndrome Program (NCSCSP) celebrated its 50th Anniversary on May 23 at the NC Museum of Art in Raleigh. The event was well attended by community trailblazers, community supporters, NCSCSP staff, sickle cell medical center staff, individuals and family members living with sickle cell disease, and NCDHHS officials.
On May 18, 1973, House Bill 32 created the Council on Sickle Cell Syndrome and the North Carolina Sickle Cell Syndrome Program to provide education, testing and counseling for sickle cell syndrome and related disorders. Retired Senators Henry E. Frye and Henry “Mickey” Michaux received legislative awards for their work to create a program in 1973 that has helped so many during the past 50 years.
As sickle cell disease affects typically underserved populations and is a prime example of racial disparities in healthcare settings, the NCSCSP is committed to providing quality care and services to "Bring Hope and a Brighter Future" to those living with sickle cell disease and their families. Learn more about the NC Sickle Cell Syndrome Program. Read more in an NCDHHS newsletter article. |
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Protect Yourself from Heat-Related Illness
North Carolinians should take precautions to protect themselves from heat-related illnesses as temperatures rise and remain high throughout the summer. Prolonged exposure to heat can lead to dehydration, overheating, heat illness and even death. Parents are advised to never leave children or pets unattended in vehicles, even for a few minutes, as temperatures inside a car reach a deadly level quickly. Symptoms of heat-related illness include muscle cramps, fatigue, weakness, dizziness, fainting, headaches, nausea and vomiting. If you or someone you know experiences heat-related illness, move to a cool place, drink water, place cold cloths on the body and seek medical attention. Cooling assistance may be available through the Crisis Intervention Program for individuals and families who experience a heating or cooling crisis, or Operation Fan Heat Relief for older adults and adults with disabilities. For information on how to prevent heat-related illnesses, additional data, or to sign up for a weekly NC heat report visit the NCDHHS website. |
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Two Virtual Events Mark ADA's 33rd Anniversary
This year marks the 33rd anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, which was signed into law on July 26, 1990, to ensure people with disabilities have the same rights and opportunities as everyone else. During two Accessibility for All events on July 6 and July 20, the state of North Carolina will honor the passage of this landmark civil rights law by highlighting how assistive technology helps the more than 1.3 million North Carolinians who have a disability gain access to these rights and opportunities, independent living and economic self-sufficiency. Both events will start at 11:30 a.m. and will feature presenters with disabilities who use assistive technology to stay active and engaged at work and in the community. Both virtual events are open to the public and will include a question-and-answer portion. Join the events via Zoom with Meeting ID: 1606908810 and Passcode: 155475. The online events will include simultaneous interpretation in American Sign Language and Spanish, live captioning in both English and Spanish, and call-in audio description line for attendees with visual impairments. For more information, visit the NCDHHS Accessibility for All webpage. |
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Protect Yourself and Your Pets in Recreational Waters
NCDHHS is urging NC residents to prioritize safety and adopt best practices for enjoying water activities with their pets, as summer heats up and people flock to recreational waters to beat the higher temperatures. 1) It's important to avoid algal blooms, which appear as thick, green, blue-green or red scums on the water's surface or along the shoreline. 2) You should take caution if the water appears discolored or has a strong odor. 3) Stay informed about water quality advisories or warnings issued by local authorities for recreational waters.
4) Avoid ingesting water and reduce your risk of illness by keeping your mouth closed and holding your nose shut or using a nose clip. 5) After swimming, rinse yourself and your pets with clean with fresh water to remove any potential bacteria, algae or toxins that may cling to the skin or fur. 6) Be attentive to any symptoms in yourself or your pets after water activities, such as skin irritations, gastrointestinal issues, respiratory problems or unusual behavior. |
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Application Period Open for Community Health Worker Grant Program
The NC Office of Rural Health is seeking a contractor to help develop and implement a mini-grant program that would work to fund six community-based organizations (CBOs) that hire Community Health Workers (CHWs) to build sustainability in this workforce. The organizations funded will work with communities with high social vulnerability and historically marginalized populations in six Medicaid regions. The total funding for all awards will be $600,000 and the contractor will administer the grants and provide training and technical assistance through recruiting and hiring Subject Matter Experts. Through COVID-19 relief funding, NCDHHS invested over $80 million in CHWs from 2020-2022 and had more than 550 CHWs employed throughout most of 2022. Now that COVID-19 funding has expired for this workforce, this mini-grant program is needed to support CBOs in developing and refining sustainability plans for their CHW efforts. To learn more and apply for funding by July 17, go to the website. To learn more about the CHW program, go to the NCDHHS website.
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