Public Health News and Announcements

Seniors who receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits can triple the value of their benefits during a one-day-only event, thanks to a special grant. The special opportunity is at the Uptown Farmers Market only on Saturday, Sept. 21.  

They are the stories of resilience from those who lived it and want to help others. This Is My Brave CharMeck 2024 show series will use performing arts as a way to end the stigma around mental illness, substance abuse and community violence. It’s about finding and forming a place to share the pain, the struggle, the vulnerability but most of all, hope.

In 2023, 293 people died from overdose in Mecklenburg County. Those people and more will be remembered on Saturday, August 31 as the world spotlights International Overdose Awareness Day. 

Back to School is an exciting time for students, teachers and families. As students launch into a new year of learning and engagement in school activities, there’s a very important to-do item and that’s being up to date with vaccine requirements to attend school. All students must comply with state-mandated immunizations.  

Mecklenburg County Public Health will be offering free mpox vaccines at the Charlotte Pride Festival this weekend as the World Health Organization recently declared mpox a global public health emergency based on an ongoing outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo related to a strain of mpox that can cause more serious complications.  

Public Health is making it easier for residents to use their Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for fresh healthy foods. In partnership with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Food Policy Council and Charlotte Regional Farmers Market, SNAP/EBT and the SNAP Double Bucks program will be accepted at the area’s largest farmers market.

Several members from the Mecklenburg County Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) recently received awards from NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) North Carolina at their first CIT Stars 2024 Awards Luncheon.  

With extreme high temperatures and heat indices forecast Aug. 1 and Aug. 2, Charlotte-Mecklenburg government agencies and partners are activating additional resources to assist vulnerable residents.

Have you ever felt compelled to share your resilience story - the story of your journey to overcoming, feeling vulnerable, or recovery from mental health struggles, substance use, or community violence exposure? 

Health leaders are sending out an important message about the federal Bridge Access Program, which was launched in 2023 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).