Recent News

14 Brands of Niagara Bottled Water Recalled For Possible E. Coli Contamination

Jun 23rd, 2015

Niagara Bottling is issuing a voluntary recall of 14 brands of bottled water products due to concerns of possible E. coli contamination from the spring source.  Today’s heat index is expected to reach 105 degrees, so residents drinking bottled water should be cautious of the brands involved in the recall. “E. coli can be a very serious infection.  Given the Code Red weather today, out of an abundance of caution, we want to alert residents drinking bottled water of the voluntary recall,” said Baltimore City Health Commissioner Dr. Leana Wen.

Working a Million Hours to Heal a City (The Atlantic)

Jun 23rd, 2015

At 7 a.m. on a recent Friday, I met Leana Wen, Baltimore’s new health commissioner, in the gleaming lobby of St. Agnes hospital on the far west side of the city. Wen looked polished in a black dress, white jacket, and pearl necklace. We were there because she was scheduled to attend a meeting with a group of healthcare workers, and I was following her around for the day.

Baltimore City Health Commissioner Declares Code Red Heat Advisory For Tuesday; First Of The Season

Jun 22nd, 2015

With the heat index expected to be at 105 degrees tomorrow, Baltimore City Health Commissioner Dr. Leana Wen has issued a Code Red Heat Advisory for Tuesday, June 23.  The heat index is a measure of air temperature and relative humidity and indicates how hot it feels to individuals outside.  This is the first Code Red of the season.

"Malachi's World" (New York Times) June 18, 2015

Jun 18th, 2015

Meet Malachi, a charming toddler I met here. The first puzzle was that Malachi, at the age of 2 years and 4 months, still doesn’t speak. He says only two words: “no” and “ouch.” He doesn’t say “mom” or “dad.  As for his inability to speak, that may be because he has tested positive for lead poisoning.

Extending The Lives of Men In Baltimore City

Jun 18th, 2015

Did you know that almost twice as many men as women die of cardiovascular disease complications? Or that in general men don’t live as long as women do? High school males are more likely than females to smoke cigarettes, and of the 87.3 million Americans with pre-diabetes, almost 60 percent of them are men. Men of Baltimore, it’s time to start being more aware of your health so you can live longer and healthier lives!

"Baltimore mayor trying to force some liquor store owners to change businesses after riots" (WMAR) June 15, 2015

Jun 16th, 2015

Anybody driving through Baltimore knows there's five liquor stores on some blocks, but not a grocery store in sight. And we know during the riots, many of those liquor stores were damaged. While they still need to rebuild, city leaders hope to see a change of product. Dr. Wen says dozens of studies from Baltimore and around the country show a higher density of liquor stores is directly linked to a high rate of violent crime.

"Baltimore's Safe Streets neighborhoods see no shootings post riots" (WMAR) June 12, 2015

Jun 15th, 2015

While crime surges in post-riot Baltimore, the Safe Streets program has been doing just that in the four areas it operated. They mediate, mentor, teach and break through to a generation that in many ways, only they are qualified to reach. The program aims to treat violence as a disease, and these men are the antibodies.

Baltimore City Health Commissioner Encourages Citizens To Take Precautions As Season’s First Hot Weather Arrives

Jun 12th, 2015

With forecasted temperatures in the mid-90s, a heat index expected to reach 100 degrees and unhealthy air quality, Baltimore health officials are encouraging residents to take precautions as the first hot weather of the season arrives today. “Individuals should stay indoors in air-conditioning as much as possible and be sure to stay hydrated with water today,” said Dr. Leana Wen, Baltimore City Health Commissioner.

"Teen pregnancy rates fall in Baltimore" (FOX45) June 10, 2015

Jun 11th, 2015

Teen pregnancy rates have fallen across the country and particularly in Baltimore City. Doctors partly credit access to contraception in city schools. "We recently had an unprecedented decrease in the teen birth rate of 32%," Baltimore City Health Commissioner Dr. Leana Wen said.

Honoring Cancer Survivors and Remembering Those Who Have Lost Their Battle

Jun 11th, 2015

Chances are you have personally been impacted by cancer, whether you know one of the 13.4 million Americans living after a cancer diagnosis or have memories of someone special in your life who is no longer fighting the fight. Luckily today, more cancer survivors are living long after their diagnoses because of improvements in medical and health services and early detection.

Cancer Control Staff Baltimore City Health Department

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