Governor Stein Proclaims National Newborn Screening Awareness Month

National Newborn Screening Awareness Month

2026

By The Governor Of The State Of North Carolina

A Proclamation

Whereas, the North Carolina Newborn Screening Program commemorates 60 years of dedicated public health service and its continued profound impact on the health and well-being of newborns and their families through the testing of a blood drop taken shortly after birth; and

Whereas, newborn screening enables the early detection of conditions that may affect long-term health, enabling timely follow-up care and treatment to improve quality of life and help prevent disabilities, developmental delays, serious illness, and even death; and

Whereas, 120,000 newborns are screened annually in North Carolina, with more than 300 newborns identified with a condition that may warrant further testing and care; and

Whereas, this public health service continues to expand in North Carolina through the implementation of screening for additional conditions and through ongoing quality improvements that strengthen the newborn screening system; and

Whereas, partnership and collaboration with professionals across disciplines have expanded and enhanced resources, education, and support for health care providers involved in the newborn screening process and families throughout the screening journey; and

Whereas, promoting awareness and support of newborn screening remain essential responsibilities for North Carolina’s entire newborn screening system as the program continues its mission of keeping babies healthy; and 

Whereas, this vital program relies on the dedication of public health professionals, health care providers, advocacy organizations, and innovators across disciplines whose commitment sustains and enhances the newborn screening program; and the newborns and their families whose lived experiences help inform and strengthen these efforts; and

Whereas, the State of North Carolina applauds the significant contributions of the newborn screening program to the health of babies born in our state and celebrates its 60 years of service;

Now, Therefore, I, Josh Stein, Governor of the State of North Carolina, do hereby proclaim September 2026 as “National Newborn Screening Awareness Month” in North Carolina and commend its observance.

In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Great Seal of the State of North Carolina at the Capitol in Raleigh this twenty-seventh day of August in the year of our Lord two thousand and twenty-sixth and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and fifty-first.