Topics Related to Families

As North Carolinians get ready for holiday gatherings and celebrations, NCDHHS reminds residents to think about food safety before buying prepared meals or food items. This is especially important when buying food through Facebook Marketplace or other social media sites.  

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in North Carolina. The good news is that many types of lung cancer are preventable. When lung cancer is found early, it is more treatable.  

This November, for Lung Cancer Awareness Month, take these three simple steps to lower your risk and help protect the health of those around you:

Studies show most women are not aware that drinking alcohol can raise their risk for breast cancer.  

In fact, the connection between alcohol and breast cancer is one of the most preventable threats to women’s health.

Research shows that drinking alcohol raises your risk of getting several types of cancer, including:

North Carolina has reported its first flu-related death this season. An adult in the central part of the state died from flu complications early this month.

“This is a heartbreaking reminder of how serious the flu can be. We encourage everyone to take steps to protect themselves and others this respiratory virus season. Getting vaccinated, staying home when sick, washing hands regularly and covering coughs and sneezes can all help reduce the spread of seasonal illnesses.”  

-NCDHHS Secretary Dev Sangvai

Nearly 120,000 babies are born each year in North Carolina.

Alcohol is the most common drug used by young adults and college students. With the right conversations, parents and guardians can help them make better choices during this school year.  

Drinking among young adults is a serious public health issue.  

Alcohol misuse can result in:

NCDHHS has confirmed several baby goats at the Farm Adventures mobile petting zoo had rabies. People may have touched or held these goats while the animals were infected.

Cyclosporiasis is an intestinal illness caused by a parasite called cyclospora. This parasite can only be seen with a microscope. People get sick when they eat or drink food or water that is contaminated with this parasite. 

NC is among dozens of U.S. states experiencing an increase of cyclosporiasis cases this summer.

Drowning can happen to anyone. It happens fast and is often silent.  

The number of unintentional drowning deaths has increased by 50% over the past 10 years. Teens and adults usually drown in natural water, like lakes, rivers or the ocean. Most drownings occur in July.

Drowning is the number one cause of death for young children ages 1 to 4 years. Most young children drown in swimming pools.

More than half of boating-related deaths were drownings without a watercraft accident. Almost all boating-related injuries were related to watercraft accidents. 

A dangerous heat wave is expected in North Carolina this Fourth of July Weekend. High temperatures will likely exceed 100 degrees. Combined with humidity, it could feel like 110 degrees.