ECU Health wins $4.1M Duke Endowment grants to expand care across eastern N.C.

April 17, 2026 - 04:46

ECU Health has been awarded a significant $4.1 million in grant funding from The Duke Endowment. This substantial investment is dedicated to expanding critical healthcare programs and improving access to essential services throughout eastern North Carolina.

The grants will support several key initiatives designed to address specific regional needs. A primary focus is the expansion of the pediatric behavioral health network, aiming to integrate mental health services more deeply into primary care settings for children and adolescents. Furthermore, funding will bolster the system's efforts to combat food insecurity, recognizing the profound link between nutrition and health outcomes. The support will also enhance programs for expectant mothers and extend vital community health worker services into additional rural counties.

This funding represents a major step forward in addressing long-standing health disparities in the region. Eastern North Carolina faces unique challenges, including higher rates of chronic disease and limited access to specialty care, particularly in rural areas. By strengthening these foundational programs, ECU Health aims to create a more proactive and accessible healthcare model. The initiatives are expected to build healthier communities, improve long-term population health, and provide crucial support to vulnerable populations across the 29 counties the system serves.