[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6527490,"mediaKeyId","3588870-12457c856fcbd870a874702fbb7b14eb","parentId",3588870,"title","Buncombe County child-fatality review: 20 deaths in 2023; perinatal conditions, unsafe sleep and youth suicide highlighted","audioSeconds",1255,"startMs",780000,"endMs",2035000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3588870-12457c856fcbd870a874702fbb7b14eb&start=780&end=2035","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3588870-12457c856fcbd870a874702fbb7b14eb/thumbnail_780000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6527490/Buncombe-County/North-Carolina/Buncombe-County-child-fatality-review-20-deaths-in-2023-perinatal-conditions-unsafe-sleep-and-youth-suicide-highlighted","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6527490-923597b5360355b7c6a3f0a28d1c0ad4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771047176&Signature=T9zuxwlXrE7~ldM8vxCmRTQ8lSCeRHFZwHX9C1VGa2XrAC3yzLMLkXkyMrgWyUDfwRwOMpL2dtFNJq6lagvArefhhHJ5GctsOsPskODDVXqHX5X-omSe8F8qcZwmf6cMLrVueOXrvVbuE88AGN0gZNIa15vMq4-13ZeuPxlXJsHy91YF5hafNkxX6mLoLfZBbEcWMCF76zRkMswllmMofCQq3qX9mGJZIiMRpT2u84qbehbYpeFQgYQN4hQTTIzviCN3lbx7sJc1gjLW7~U1uc5UdwntNZbVFNCxiEs9SB-7w1z3EkqGfpBWbZ3OGM-UNP3-7Qdj6ukbqA6V5aO5Wg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Buncombe County, NC","date","2025-05-23T18:40:49Z","article","Dr. Jenny Molendor, chair of the Buncombe County Child Fatality Prevention Team, told the Buncombe County Board of Health at its April meeting that the team reviewed 20 deaths of county-resident children in 2023 and identified perinatal conditions as the leading cause.

The review showed five extremely premature births and two deaths associated with placental abruptions. Illnesses (including genetic conditions and cancers), accidents (including a pedestrian struck by a vehicle and one fatal anaphylactic reaction) and sudden unexplained infant deaths also appeared among the reviewed cases. The team reported that 60 percent of the child fatalities in 2023 occurred in children younger than 1 year of age.

The report also examined an increase in youth suicides documented in 2022 that continued into 2023; local data through the first two quarters of 2024 showed a decline from that 2022 peak. The team noted that in Buncombe County the most common method of youth suicide has been by hanging. Team members stressed that suicide prevention requires addressing isolation, stigma and access to mental health care, and said prevention work needs to include BIPOC and LGBTQ+ youth.

Why this matters: infant mortality and youth suicide are leading public-health priorities. Dr. Molendor said North Carolina's infant mortality ranking is poor, and that local disparities persist: Black infants in Buncombe County were nearly three times more likely to die before their first birthday than white infants over a recent five-year comparison (the county's disparity ratio increased from 2.36 to 2.96 for the 2019''23 period).

Recommendations and follow-up: the team recommended restarting a countywide safe-sleep public campaign that was delayed by Hurricane Helene, expanding training for first responders to identify and advise caregivers about safe sleep, and supporting paid family leave through the county's legislative advocacy channels. The team noted it receives a small annual state allotment (about $1,600 in 2024) and used that money to produce signs and magnets promoting the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

Legal and structural changes: Molendor briefed the board on statutory changes stemming from 2023 appropriations language that reorganizes local child-fatality review teams; starting July 1, 2025, counties will have a single local child-fatality review team structure as defined by the state law referenced in the team's report.

Board action: the chair asked for and received board approval to appoint Casey Locke as the board's representative to the county child-fatality review team. The motion to approve the appointment was made from the chair, seconded, and adopted by voice/hand vote; the meeting record shows the motion carried but does not list a numerical tally.

What the report does not assert: the team's role is review and recommendation; the report identifies system gaps and recommends actions but does not, by itself, create county policy. Molendor said the team aims to identify service-delivery gaps and make evidence-based recommendations for prevention and policy changes.

Outlook: the county will pursue the safe-sleep campaign and coordinate with community partners on suicide-prevention activities. The board designated Casey Locke as its representative and the team will continue to monitor trends and push for the recommended actions.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Buncombe County Health and Human Services Board Meeting for April 25, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Dr. Jenny Molendor, chair of the Buncombe County Child Fatality Prevention Team, told the Buncombe County Board of Health at its April meeting that the team reviewed 20 deaths of county-resident children in 2023 and identified perinatal conditions as the leading cause.","taxTitle","Buncombe County, North Carolina","taxId",3914,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6527486,"Buncombe County Board of Health adopts FY26 fee schedule; director authorized to make midyear changes and Helene fee relief included",628,2535000,3163000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3588870-12457c856fcbd870a874702fbb7b14eb&start=2535&end=3163","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3588870-12457c856fcbd870a874702fbb7b14eb/thumbnail_2535000.jpg","/articles/6527486/Buncombe-County/North-Carolina/Buncombe-County-Board-of-Health-adopts-FY26-fee-schedule-director-authorized-to-make-midyear-changes-and-Helene-fee-relief-included","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6527486-d917a2ac988c736cac277cf03c86c3b4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771047176&Signature=N7PcRCvzEnCB89Ta501xHxD2yVbwU9Uk-weiIyAGereAjU-Lrhx6f3osB05I09Vk5-WTUIyMfyfIxE6NiKH~KWihnVgjEY5f6GYZBc5~-ETFEAjTxOTHi2NYYvpi9JKVnRxZcXTuUccgPlNSYZbO9oqZFIh0bMmmbMPYuXAW8QrP9l9MT4vJDK6q6ozABuFLtClL2p5OzpL2DCIreJHfrzl5jDilZpJ9I9uEYX4N-8YlIVCo4p4Y1wS-XSix7YErd9jGtGtUFTGnGd14JhunE2YQBoqxP2bA9iPHlYwDnCLz9LhV6FWs-7wV8FcUAwc7Yx-LptjAmRNx5amQEbgK3g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Buncombe County Board of Health voted to adopt the health department's Fiscal Year 2026 billing guide and fee schedule at its April meeting, approving year-over-year rate updates and adding language enabling the health director to implement midyear adjustments.

Paul Watson, operations manager for the health department, presented the annual billing guide and fee schedule. He told board members the package is required to be adopted annually by both the Board of Health and the Board of County Commissioners and that the 2026 schedule reflects minor changes: 47 listed items had price changes (many tied to increases in vaccine and family-planning reimbursement rates), sliding-fee updates to align with federal poverty guidelines, and a billing-frequency change for accounts with outstanding balances.

Key clarifications given during the presentation: accounts with balances of $25 or more will be billed every other month (to reduce administrative costs); accounts under $25 continue to be billed quarterly. Watson said the department spends about $8,000 annually on billing activities and that most rate-setting follows Medicaid and commercial reimbursement schedules and a market review of surrounding counties. Environmental health fees and septic/well permitting were included in the fee schedule; environmental health staff reported no changes to their fees this year.

Board discussion addressed how fee changes affect access. The health department noted it does not turn away clients; several programs remain free (sexually transmitted infection clinic, breast and cervical cancer program), sliding fees are based on federal poverty level, payment plans are offered and unpaid balances may be handled via debt set-off processes.

Hurricane Helene relief: board members asked that the schedule incorporate fee relief for residents whose structures were damaged by Tropical Storm Helene. The motion adopted by the board included a provision approving any recommended fee reductions for residential structures damaged by Helene through Dec. 31, 2025. The health director is authorized to implement midyear fee changes as needed; the board and staff noted that county-commissioner action on a May 6 resolution could inform the specifics of any reduction but would not be required for the director to act under the board's existing authorization.

Vote and procedure: the motion to adopt the FY26 fee schedule as presented and to approve recommended fee reductions for Helene-damaged residential structures was made by a board member, seconded by Jennifer Horton, and passed by voice/hand vote. The meeting record shows the motion carried but does not provide a numerical roll-call tally; one board member who had to leave early provided assent before departing.

What changes and programs this affects: the staff identified family planning and immunizations as the programs most affected by fee changes; vaccine procurement pathways and patient-assistance programs reduce costs for uninsured patients. The billing guide also authorizes the health director to update rates midyear to align with changing Medicaid and insurer reimbursement rates.

Next steps: the health department will implement the adopted fee schedule, communicate changes to staff and clients, and, if county commissioners approve specific Helene-fee relief, will apply reductions as authorized.","The Board voted to adopt the county health department's FY26 billing guide and fee schedule, approving minor rate adjustments and a provision to extend fee reductions to residents whose homes were damaged by Tropical Storm Helene; the health director retains authority to make midyear changes to align with reimbursement rates.","actionData","errors"]

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Buncombe County child-fatality review: 20 deaths in 2023; perinatal conditions, unsafe sleep and youth suicide highlighted

Buncombe County Board of Health adopts FY26 fee schedule; director authorized to make midyear changes and Helene fee relief included