Latest news with #MecklenburgCountyPublicHealth
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Mecklenburg County Public Health receives accreditation with honors from State Board
MECKLENBURG COUNTY, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) – Mecklenburg County Public Health has been accredited with honors by the North Carolina Local Health Department Accreditation Board. Accreditation is a status granted to a local health department that has demonstrated or exceeded the standards set by NCLHD. Public Health was recognized for this achievement by the Board of County Commissioners at its May 20 meeting. The North Carolina accreditation process seeks to assure and enhance the quality of local health departments by evaluating their ability to meet a list of requirements that align with the 10 essential public health functions. NCLHD determined that Mecklenburg County Public Health met 147 out of 147 of the requirements listed to receive the highest designation of accreditation with honors. Public Health leaders recently attended the NCLHD Board meeting to receive this designation. During the meeting, Mecklenburg County was recognized for its best practices in community-driven HIV care and prevention, and for having strong support for public health from the Board of County Commissioners. Accreditation in North Carolina occurs on a four-year cycle. However, this was a six-year cycle due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Axios
04-03-2025
- Health
- Axios
Overdose deaths among Black and Hispanic residents surge in Mecklenburg County
Overdose deaths have surged 200% among Black and Hispanic residents since 2019 in Mecklenburg County, according to public health data. Why it matters: Although Mecklenburg County has noted progress in slowing the rate of overdose deaths among white residents, the opposite trend is occurring among Black and Hispanic residents. Overdose deaths among white residents in Mecklenburg County increased just 14% in the same period. "The opioid epidemic is still here," says Public Health Director Dr. Raynard Washington. "The epidemic is impacting every corner of our community." The big picture: Historically, opioid overdose rates have been higher among non-Hispanic whites. However, the recent surge among minorities underscores how the rise of fentanyl is hitting all communities hard. Mecklenburg County medical examiner Dr. Thomas Owens says many people who died had unknowingly taken fentanyl mixed with other street drugs, such as cocaine and illegally pressed pills. By the numbers: 27.8% of 1,387 overdose deaths since 2019 in Mecklenburg County were attributed to fentanyl, according to the public health dashboard. Zoom out: North Carolina saw one of the biggest drops in its fatal drug overdose rate in the country in 2024, Axios previously reported. The fatal overdose rate per 100,000 people fell by 19.4% between 2022 and 2023. However, per CDC data, North Carolina still had 33.7 fatal drug overdoses per 100,000 people in 2023. Zoom in: Zip code 28208 in the west Charlotte " crescent" accounted for 891 overdose-related emergency department visits — the most in the county. What they're saying: Public Health officials are warning people not to share pills or take illicit drugs. People should be aware of the signs of an overdose and obtain naloxone, or Narcan, especially if they or someone they know is struggling with addiction. Residents can request free naloxone through the Mecklenburg County Public Health website.
Yahoo
07-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Tuberculosis cases are ‘rising' in Mecklenburg County
Tuberculosis is on the rise in Mecklenburg County, but health officials say the overall risk to the public is still low. Channel 9 learned Friday that there are currently 31 reported cases of active TB in Mecklenburg County residents. TB is a bacterial infection that affects the lungs. It can cause coughing, weight loss, night sweats, fever, and other symptoms, though the disease is treatable with antibiotics. Mecklenburg County Public Health told Channel 9 that some cases have been linked, but they're not responding to any official outbreaks or 'large-scale contact investigations.' Public health officials said you can reduce the risk of TB infection by limiting close contact with people who are diagnosed with active TB, washing your hands frequently, and covering your mouth when you cough or sneeze. North Carolina is also seeing an increase in emergency department visits for respiratory viruses. As of last week, 19.6% of all emergency room visits had symptoms of respiratory virus. You can see the state's statistics at this link. (VIDEO: Tuberculosis case reported at SC high school, health officials confirm)
