North Dakota Health and Human Services (HHS) is launching a new $40 million funding opportunity designed to help rural hospitals upgrade clinical equipment, strengthen emergency and specialty care services, and keep more healthcare close to home for North Dakotans.
For many rural communities, limited and aging equipment can mean patients must travel hours for emergency care, advanced imaging, cancer treatment, obstetric care or specialized procedures. State leaders say the funding is designed to help hospitals provide faster diagnoses, improve outcomes and strengthen the long-term future of rural health care in North Dakota.
North Dakota is launching a new rural healthcare suicide prevention initiative aimed at strengthening follow-up care and closing critical gaps after suicide risk is identified. The effort follows recommendations from the North Dakota Suicide Fatality Review Commission and supports the Zero Suicide framework across rural and tribal healthcare systems.
The initiative will support rural and tribal healthcare providers in implementing standardized suicide risk screening, follow-up care after suicide attempts and improved referral pathways into mental health and behavioral healthcare services.
Categories: Public Health
North Dakota Health and Human Services (HHS) is reporting one confirmed measles case in Cass County. This is the first case reported in Cass County in 2026.
The individual likely acquired the infection within the state. HHS is continuing its investigation to determine the source of exposure, as the individual reported no recent out-of-state or international travel.
North Dakota has had a total of 38 confirmed cases of measles this year through May 15, and five individuals have been hospitalized. This compares to 36 measles cases in the state in 2025, which resulted in three hospitalizations. The United States has confirmed 1,842 cases in 2026.
Categories: Children and families
North Dakota Health and Human Services (HHS) FamilyFirst Services now offers Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) through telehealth by an approved provider to eligible families.
Parent-Child Interaction Therapy is an evidence-based program for children ages 2 to 7 and their parents or caregivers. It is designed to improve child behavior, strengthen parenting skills and build healthier parent-child relationships.
Categories: Public Health
May 10-16, which overlaps Mother’s Day, is recognized as National Women’s Health Week. This year, the federal Office of Women’s Health and North Dakota Health and Human Services (HHS) are promoting the theme: “Prevention, Innovation, and Impact: A New Era in Women’s Health,” and focusing attention on prevention and early detection of women’s health issues, chronic diseases and science-based care.
