Latest news with #RaynardWashington
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
28-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Mecklenburg County health director explains why measles vaccines have declined in children
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — The measles outbreak in west Texas where an unvaccinated child died of the virus comes as North Carolina and South Carolina are both seeing slight declines of children who are up to date on their measles vaccines. Lower percentages of kindergarteners in the Carolinas are getting their measles vaccines than in years past. Measles is one of the world's most contagious viruses. Here's what to know and how to avoid it North Carolina is at a four-year low for the shots with 93.8% of kindergarteners getting the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine (MMR) in the 2023-24 school year. Meanwhile, South Carolina is at a 10-year low at 92.1% of Kindergarteners getting the MMR shot in the 2023-24 school year. 'It's definitely concerning because remember, we're talking about hundreds of thousands of kids in that number, so even small percentage changes could impact our ability to protect our kids from these infections that we know are preventable with vaccination,' said Dr. Raynard Washington, Mecklenburg County's Public Health director. Washington says there are two reasons parents aren't getting their kids vaccinated. One is access and the other is resistance. 'We are seeing more vaccine hesitancy in our community in some pockets of the community, we know there are some groups, some communities, some religious groups who oppose vaccines for their children,' said Washington. In west Texas where the child died from measles, the health department says one of the areas where the virus has spread is in a close-knit, under-vaccinated Mennonite community. 'What's happening right now in west Texas is heartbreaking, that is — it's preventable,' said Washington. 'High-severity season': Flu cases are on the rise in North Carolina, reaching highest level nationwide There has been a rise in MMR religious exemptions in North Carolina since 2020, which is higher than the number of medical exemptions for school students not getting vaccinations of all types. 'We are where we are with measles because of the vaccine itself. I think that is a fact, that is true and if were not for vaccines, we'd certainly be dealing with these kinds of measles outbreaks on a much more frequent basis,' said Washington. Children typically receive their first dose of the MMR vaccine at 12-to-15 months old and their second dose at 4-to-6 years old. Children without insurance can still get their vaccines at little or no cost through the Vaccines for Children program. For more information: For a list of specific vaccines and the vaccination rates in each state, see the CDC's SchoolVax View. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
