Community Wellness

The Craven County Health Department participated in 56 partner-sponsored community events in 2023. When participating in events the booth display covers topics such as heart health, physical activity, healthy eating, diabetes prevention, COVID-19, mental health, and smoking cessation. 

Over 1,000 at-home COVID-19 test kits were provided to the community at no cost. 

Mulitple mass media and messaging campgains were promoted. 

Craven County Recreation and Parks saw an increase in program participation with youth and adults. 

Behavioral Health, Substance Use

Craven County Health Department partnered with the Opioid Epidemic Response office to bring community Narcan and Hands-Only CPR to the community. 

The Health Department provided over 250 Narcan kits to the community. 

New Bern Police Department collected over 700 pounds of medication and safely disposed of it during the spring and fall Drug Take Back events.

Behavioral Health, Mental Health

Craven, Jones, and Pamlico counties worked together and brought a Mental Health Town Hall to New Bern in February of 2023. Over 150 individuals attended. .

A Walk for Recovery event was held in downtown New Bern, with over 50 people in attendance. This event brought awareness about recovery from substance use and mental health disorders. 

Craven County promoted the new 988 Lifeline number for suicide prevention. Craven County residents utilized the line 723 times in 2023.

Workforce Development

Craven Community College Career Coaches continue to be on-site at different locations with the county throughout the year. Coaches are dedicated to helping individuals expore a career path that matches their interests. 

In the fall of 2023, Craven Community College entered into a partnership with the North Carolina Division of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention to develop a pilot program for juctice-involved individuals. The program will offer training and employment opportunities. 

*More details can be found in the full SOTCH report at the bottom of this page. 

Cancer and Heart Disease are still the top two leading causes of death among Craven County residents. The third leading cause of death is Other Unintentional Injuries, which includes drug overdose deaths. The drug overdose death rate for Craven County is 84.2, which ranks as one of the highest counties in North Carolina for overdose deaths. Fentanyl-positive deaths are on the rise and Craven County is ranked fifth for fentanyl-positive deaths in the state.

*More details can be found in the full SOTCH report at the bottom of this page. 

Fentanyl-positive deaths in Craven County have increased over 100% in the past 5 years. Craven County is currently ranked 5th in the state for fentanyl-positive deaths.

Craven County parents are reporting high school students are now trying nicotine pouches. Nicotine pouches are microfiber pouches with flavored nicotine powder that users dissolve in the mouth without spitting. The CDC reports that in 2023 about 1 of every 100 high school students (1.7%) reported using nicotine pouches in the past 30 days. Any form of nicotine during adolescence can impact learning, attention span, proneness to addiction, and be harmful to adolescent brain development.

*More details can be found in the full SOTCH report at the bottom of this page. 

Craven County Government established the Craven County Opioid Epidemic Response department. The Opioid Epidemic Response was established to reduce opioid-related overdoses and deaths in Craven County through prevention, collaboration, harm reduction, treatment, short-term and long-term recovery, and recovery support services. 

*Full SOTCH Report: 2023SOTCH_1708961699.pdf