North Carolina Sets the Pace for Statewide Public Health Communications Infrastructure

NC communicators at an Arclet workshop, Wilmington NC 2025

North Carolina is leading the way in how statewide public health campaigns reach local communities. We're headed into the second year of Arclet's partnership with NC DHHS and the North Carolina Institute for Public Health on a model that gives local health departments access to ready-to-use, adaptable campaigns through a single platform.

Using Public Health Infrastructure Grant (PHIG) funding, North Carolina is the first state to invest in statewide Arclet access for local health departments. As campaigns like the Radon Toolkit, respiratory health messaging, and emergency preparedness materials roll out, local communicators can quickly find vetted content, tailor it for their communities, and share consistent messages—without starting from scratch.

Early results are promising. Since launching in spring 2025, more than 145 users across the state are actively using Arclet. In a fall 2025 survey, over 70% reported increased capacity for health communications, with many saving six or more hours per month—especially solo communicators and small teams.

This rollout shows how investing in communications infrastructure can strengthen local capacity without adding staff, while preserving local voice. We’re seeing strong interest from other states, and a second state has already committed to supporting its local health departments beginning in 2026.

If your state or organization is exploring scalable ways to support public health communications, we’d love to connect.