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NCDHHS held a tele-town hall on Aug. 3 to discuss substance use, overdose prevention and how we can support teens and young adults in North Carolina. Panelists discussed the following:
- Ways for parents and caregivers to talk to youth about mental health, substance use and overdose;
- Signs of substance use and where to find support, tools to reduce harm and treatment;
- How to recognize symptoms of an overdose and respond; and
- Resources to increase access to health services and address disparities.
NCDHHS’ fireside chats and tele-town halls are part of the state’s ongoing public efforts to ensure equitable access to timely health information, resources and vaccines, and eliminate health disparities.
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NCDHHS Secretary to Donate Blood Monday Under Expanded Eligibility
On Monday, Aug. 7, the American Red Cross will begin accepting blood donations from newly eligible individuals, many in the LGBTQ+ community, under the U.S. Food and Drug Administration expanded eligibility recommendations. NCDHHS Secretary Kinsley and NCDHHS Chief Medical Officer Elizabeth Cuervo Tilson will both be donating blood on Monday at the Raleigh Red Cross, 100 N Peartree Lane in Raleigh. Secretary Kinsley and Dr. Tilson led an effort, joined by nine other states and the District of Columbia, calling on the FDA to update this policy. Secretary Kinsley and Dr. Tilson encourage all North Carolinians, including those newly eligible to donate, to be regular blood donors. Adopting these new recommendations is the best way to ensure there is a safe and robust supply of blood. NCDHHS is partnering with EqualityNC, Harmony and the LGBT Center of Raleigh to invite those in Raleigh and surrounding areas to register for Monday’s event and give blood alongside them. Those who wish to donate can register for Monday’s event and use sponsor code: DonateNC. |
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NCDHHS Urges Caution After Three Deaths Due to Vibrio
NCDHHS is encouraging North Carolinians to be aware of the potential dangers of having wounds or cuts open to saltwater or brackish water following reports of three deaths due to Vibrio infections in North Carolina residents. Vibrio are bacteria that are naturally found in warm waters, so people with open wounds, cuts or scratches can be exposed to these bacteria through direct contact with seawater or brackish water. Vibrio can also cause disease in those who eat raw or undercooked oysters and shellfish. Vibrio cases in North Carolina are rare but can cause severe illness. Since 2019, eight of the 47 reported cases among North Carolina residents have been fatal. While healthy individuals typically develop mild illness, Vibrio infections can be severe or life-threatening for people with weakened immune systems or chronic liver disease. If you start to see signs of a skin infection after contact with brackish waters or seawater, you should contact your health care provider. Other symptoms can include diarrhea, stomach pain, vomiting, nausea, fever and chills. More information on Vibrio can be found on the CDC's website and NCDHHS' website. |
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Intellectual/ Developmental Disabilities Town Hall
NCDHHS will join the North Carolina Council on Developmental Disabilities for a statewide virtual and in-person town hall on Aug. 10 at 6 p.m. at the Hilton Garden Inn, 131 Columbus Avenue in Cary. To request to attend the event in-person, email townhall@nccdd.org. Limited space is available in-person at the Hilton Garden Inn Raleigh-Cary and seating is open on a first-come, first-served basis per sign-up. A livestream of the event will be available via Zoom. You can register for the virtual event and a confirmation email with more details will be sent following registration. Following opening remarks, NCDHHS Secretary Kody H. Kinsley and NCDHHS Director of the Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Use Services Kelly Crosbie will respond to questions from both in-person guests and virtual participants. NCDHHS will provide updates on Medicaid expansion, 1915 (i) services, the justice release, reentry and reintegration initiative, the caregiving workforce strategic leadership council, competitive integrated employment, and items in the Governor's budget in support of people with I/DD.
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