Jennifer Fernandez

Some lawmakers push to restore funding for program aimed at improving infant, maternal health N.C.'s Perinatal Quality Collaborative lost funding in a budget fight between the GOP-led General Assembly and Democratic Gov. Josh Stein.

Could shuttered program be revived? My latest for @nchealthnews
www.northcarolinahealthnews.org/2026/03/03/p...

My editor asked for a timeline for my @nchealthnews story on teen driver crashes after changes to the state's graduated driver licensing. Here's what I came up with:

Youth voices drive Vaya Health’s new mental health approach in six NC counties The program uses a community-based “system of care” approach to meet the needs of families involved in multiple child service agencies.

My latest for @nchealthnews: www.northcarolinahealthnews.org/2026/01/27/y...

NC health officials urge vaccinations after CDC reduces the number of recommended shots The state vaccination schedule includes required and recommended shots no longer part of federal guidelines after CDC revamp.

My latest for @nchealthnews on the state's response to CDC changes to childhood vax schedule: www.northcarolinahealthnews.org/2026/01/09/c...

Check out @nchealthnews on YouTube and Instagram to find more videos like this one from a recent story of mine: www.instagram.com/p/DSLeyFKjBBG/

The rescue mission at the heart of NC’s opioid crisis — and the money it can’t reach Despite serving one of the communities hit hardest by fentanyl deaths, the Richmond County Rescue Mission has been denied settlement funds for two years.

Today is Giving Tuesday. Please consider supporting North Carolina Health News, a nonprofit newsroom dedicated to covering health issues, such as how opioid settlement money is being spent:
www.northcarolinahealthnews.org/2025/12/02/t...

NC stagnates on maternal and infant health, gets D+ from March of Dimes Steps such as Medicaid expansion, extended postpartum coverage and loosening restrictions on CNMs, are considered promising efforts.

ICYMI: My latest story for @nchealthnews: www.northcarolinahealthnews.org/2025/11/21/m...

Federal SNAP snafu affects nearly 85,000 NC college students who receive federal food assistance Another nearly 100,000 students are likely missing out, but lack of knowledge, difficulty, stigma keeps them from signing up.

My latest for @nchealthnews looks at how the federal food aid delay affects college students: www.northcarolinahealthnews.org/2025/11/11/f...

Medicaid funding shortfall shutters statewide program helping moms and babies The state's Perinatal Quality Collaborative has been credited with reducing C-section births, boosting breastfeeding, and cutting infant infection rates.

ICYMI: N.C. child advocates worry about loss of perinatal quality group. www.northcarolinahealthnews.org/2025/10/30/p...

Whooping cough surges in North Carolina; fading vaccine immunity likely plays a role Even vaccinated children can catch and spread whooping cough. Here's why experts say booster shots and awareness are key.

ICYMI: My story from last week on whooping cough: www.northcarolinahealthnews.org/2025/10/03/v...

Stronger Together: Conference focuses on Black youth mental health College student panel says resources available to help with Black youth mental health, but many friends and families don’t know about them.

My latest story for @nchealthnews on addressing #mentalhealth of Black youth in NC:
www.northcarolinahealthnews.org/2025/09/26/b...

Federal funding cuts, delays undermine HIV response in North Carolina The temporary loss of key HIV grants forced organizations to cut hours, furlough workers and delay critical public health initiatives.

My latest story for @nchealthnews looks at how federal funding cuts and delays are affecting HIV prevention work in NC: www.northcarolinahealthnews.org/2025/07/31/f...

Rural NC county sees rapid rise in unregulated care homes Lack of oversight has fueled a growth in unlicensed housing for people with disabilities in Wilson County, leaving them open to exploitation.

Anyone with an elderly or disabled family member looking for an independent living option with support services needs to read this story from @nchealthnews reporter Jaymie Baxley: www.northcarolinahealthnews.org/2025/07/28/m...

Program focuses on youngest kids in NC’s child welfare system N.C. extends Safe Babies Court pilot to 2027; program aims to strengthen families, prevent young children from being removed from their home.

My latest story for @nchealthnews looks at Safe Babies Court, which is part of NC's efforts to transform its child welfare system: www.northcarolinahealthnews.org/2025/07/23/s...

‘Too afraid to not have access’: Abortion restrictions can affect family planning decisions Some women are putting plans for children on hold or stepping up their contraception choices, citing fears of restricted reproductive health care access.

Some NC women are putting plans for children on hold or stepping up their contraception choices, citing fears of restricted reproductive health care access. The latest from @nchealthnews reporter Rachel Crumpler: www.northcarolinahealthnews.org/2025/07/21/h...

Abortion for fetal anomalies is legal under NC’s law — but getting one can be a complicated process The state’s 2023 law permits abortions for “life-limiting” anomalies during the first 24 weeks of pregnancy, but it leaves some people behind.

Powerful story on abortion access and the pain of ending a wanted pregnancy --“I’m not going to be a walking tomb," one woman told @nchealthnews reporter Rachel Crumpler. www.northcarolinahealthnews.org/2025/07/14/a...

The ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ has passed. Here’s how it could affect health care in NC Officials warn that sweeping federal cuts to Medicaid, food aid and clean energy programs could unravel key safety nets across the state.

The latest story from @nchealthnews looks at how the 'Big Beautiful Bill' could affect health care in NC: www.northcarolinahealthnews.org/2025/07/10/b...

NC launches new system to track child welfare cases The $65 million PATH NC system will allow social workers to get data on what’s happening for NC’s most vulnerable kids.

Last week, NC officials announced the launch of a new system to track child welfare cases. It's been a long time coming and apparently is going a lot better than the last time NC tried to enact a statewide system. www.northcarolinahealthnews.org/2025/06/19/n...

Summer is one of the hungriest times for at-risk children. Here’s how to find meals for your child this summer in North Carolina. From food pantries to new SUN Bucks program, here’s how to find meals for your child this summer in North Carolina.

When school ends, so do federally subsidized free- and reduced-price meals for low-income students. My latest story for @nchealthnews offers some ideas on how families can access food programs this summer: www.northcarolinahealthnews.org/2025/06/26/f...

NC is reporting its first case of #measles this year in a child who visited Forsyth and Guilford counties. The state had one case last year. More than 1,200 cases have been reported in the US this year, the first major outbreak since 2019.

Proposed SNAP cuts trouble NC food assistance programs Private philanthropy won’t be able to make up the difference at food banks if SNAP and Medicaid are slashed.

From @nchealthnews story on SNAP cuts: “I understand as a nonprofit executive trimming fat from a budget. We’re not serving lobster in our pantry.” Read more: www.northcarolinahealthnews.org/2025/06/05/s...

A bill that would shorten the practice period for teen drivers passed the NC House Transportation Committee. It was changed to reduce the nine-month practice period to six months only through the end of this year.

Disrupted systems: How EPA cuts are shaking up community health and climate research Canceled grants and shifting federal priorities are halting progress — and prompting a legal fight to protect climate initiatives and health.

Reporters for @nchealthnews have been delving into how Trump administration cuts to health care and the environment are affecting NC. Here's the latest from Will Atwater: www.northcarolinahealthnews.org/2025/04/17/d...

NC House bill would further shorten practice period for teen drivers Legislators first reduced that time during the pandemic. Since then, the crash rate among 16-year-old drivers has risen 13 percent.

A bill that would further reduce the practice period for young drivers stalled in the Transportation Committee of the N.C. House today. Read my original story on the bill for @nchealthnews:
www.northcarolinahealthnews.org/2025/04/16/g...

NC House bill would further shorten practice period for teen drivers Legislators first reduced that time during the pandemic. Since then, the crash rate among 16-year-old drivers has risen 13 percent.

NC lawmakers will be discussing bill to reduce young drivers' practice time today at 10 a.m. Read my story for @nchealthnews:
www.northcarolinahealthnews.org/2025/04/16/g...

School-based telehealth expands further in North Carolina Advocates say school-based telehealth care reduces absenteeism, ensures students receive routine care, and can even boost test scores.

My latest story for @nchealthnews looks at how school-based #telehealth is expanding in NC. www.northcarolinahealthnews.org/2025/04/11/s...

Are you in NC and affected by the federal DHHS, CDC cuts and restructuring? Let us break down how health policies ultimately affect you, your family, and your health. Gain unparalleled insights into N.C. with our essential statewide newsletter, delivered to your inbox twice…

Are you a federal worker, contractor or recipient of federal funds who has been affected by recent cuts to DHHS or the CDC? @nchealthnews wants to hear from you.

North Carolina preps for potential measles outbreak “If you do find yourself with a case, even one case, [it’s] a pretty massive response and takes a lot of staff,” state epidemiologist Zack Moore said.

See what NC is doing to prepare for #measles if an #outbreak happens here:

This week at the NC General Assembly: Reproductive health, nursing practice scope, paid family leave and more Lawmakers introduced legislation on reproductive health, nursing practice scope, paid family leave and more.

Wonder what NC legislators are doing about health care issues? The latest story from @nchealthnews takes a look at some of the key bills introduced this session:

Disability advocates, families push lawmakers for more services, funding People with disabilities have come from across the state to press the legislature for funds for services, increased pay for caregivers.

Want to know what is happening in the NCGA? Here's the latest from @nchealthnews editor Rose Hoban: