All tagged cdc

Bariatric Basics: Obesity in America

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) estimates 42.4% of adults have the diagnosis of obesity and 9.2% have severe obesity. In 2021, CDC ranked North Carolina 16th in overall obesity compared to the rest of the United States.  In 2022, 40.4% of adults in Lenoir County were clinically obese, 5% greater than the overall rate in North Carolina.   Lenoir County residents live in one of the epicenters of the obesity epidemic. 

COVID-19 Boosters recommended for children ages 12 to 15, additional dose recommended for immunocompromised children ages 5 to 11

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention yesterday announced it recommends the Pfizer COVID-19 booster for children ages 12 to 15 to further protect them from COVID-19. The CDC also recommends a third dose of Pfizer for children ages 5 to 11 who have compromised immune systems. In addition, the wait time for boosters for anyone who received Pfizer COVID-19 vaccinations has been reduced from six months to five months.

NCDHHS awarded $9M from CDC to support statewide community health worker infrastructure

North Carolina’s Community Health Worker Initiative will expand as part of the CDC’s National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion's Community Health Workers for COVID Response and Resilient Communities (CCR) initiative. The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services was awarded a total of $9 million with $3 million per year distributed over the next three years.

Following New CDC Guidance on face coverings, Governor Cooper lifts many COVID-19 restrictions

Following yesterday’s guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that fully vaccinated individuals can safely do most activities without wearing a mask or the need to social distance from others, the state will remove its indoor mask mandate for most settings. Additionally, the state will lift all mass gathering limits and social distancing requirements. These changes are now in effect as of 1:30 PM today.

CMS relaxes guidance for visitation in long-term care facilities; NCDHHS rescinds LTCF visitation Secretarial order

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is updating its visitation guidance for long-term care facilities to allow for in-person, indoor or outdoor, visitation in most circumstances. The change aligns with new guidance released this week from the Centers of Medicare and Medicaid Services and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and reflects rapidly improving trends in long-term care facilities.