Recent News

Cost of overdose drug could hamper access in Maryland and elsewhere (Baltimore Sun)

Feb 13th, 2018

The price of a drug that has saved the lives of more than 800 people overdosing on heroin or other opioids in Baltimore is rising rapidly.

"We shouldn't be priced out of saving lives," said Dr. Leana Wen, Baltimore's health commissioner. "In a time of a public health emergency, we should be making it more affordable and available."

Read the entire story.

Leana Wenopioidsnaloxone

Note From The Commissioner: Advocating for Public Health

Feb 9th, 2018

With the legislative session in Annapolis underway, the Baltimore City Health Department is actively advocating for public health improvements with our legislators in Annapolis. On Monday, I joined Delegates Brooke Lierman and Robbyn Lewis to endorse legislation that will create the Maryland Violence Intervention and Prevention Program (MVIPP) Fund. The Fund will support science-based, public health approaches to prevent gun violence.

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Note From The Commissioner: Safeguarding Health & Well-Being

Feb 2nd, 2018

The Maryland General Assembly’s 2018 session has started. We at the Baltimore City Health Department are hard at work with our state legislators on a variety of bills to safeguard health and well-being.

A critical priority is protecting the Affordable Care Act and preventing the gains made from being rolled back. Last month, I expressed my full support for a state-enforced individual mandate bill, which would use collected funds and apply them toward marketplace plans for those who are uninsured but do not qualify for Medicaid.  I hope to assist with other legislation to strengthen the ACA, including expansion of Medicaid and Medicare and development of a public option.

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Health Commissioner Dr. Wen Declares Code Blue Alert

Feb 1st, 2018

BALTIMORE, MD (February 1, 2018) — Baltimore City Health Commissioner Dr. Leana Wen issued a Code Blue declaration for Baltimore City, beginning Friday evening, Feb. 2, through the morning of Saturday, Feb. 3.

Trump’s 49 seconds on the opioid epidemic: 5 questions from the front lines (STAT)

Feb 1st, 2018

President Trump’s State of the Union address was 80 minutes long. He spent just 49 seconds on the opioid epidemic, something he has declared to be a public health emergency.

Read Dr. Wen's entire op-ed.

Leana Wenopioids

Health Commissioner Dr. Wen Declares Code Blue Alert

Jan 30th, 2018

BALTIMORE, MD (January 29, 2018) — Baltimore City Health Commissioner Dr. Leana Wen issued a Code Blue declaration for Baltimore City, beginning Tuesday evening, Jan. 30, through the morning of Wednesday, Jan. 31.

Baltimore health department pushes for action in sleep-related infant deaths (Fox 45)

Jan 30th, 2018

The Baltimore City Health Department says the number of sleep-related infant deaths nearly doubled last year. In 2017, 13 babies died in their sleep in Baltimore City, compared to seven deaths the year before. On Tuesday, the department testified in front of the City Council. They are pushing to take more action against sleep-related infant deaths. “There are multifaceted issues to why someone might not put their baby to sleep safely,” Rebecca Dineen, co-leader of B’More for Healthy Babies. “These are conditions that are a result of their environment as much as it is knowledge of the right thing to do.” 

Read the entire story.

B'more for Healthy Babies

Public Health Heroes: Needle Exchange Team

Jan 26th, 2018

Since 1994, BCHD’s Syringe Exchange Program (SEP) has worked to reduce the rates of HIV, Hepatitis C, and other infections through decreased circulation of used syringes provide clients with the best services possible.

Note From The Commissioner: Healthcare - A Human Right

Jan 26th, 2018

On Saturday, I joined the 2018 Baltimore Women’s March. Following the rousing speeches by Mayor Pugh and Senators Cardin and Van Hollen, I spoke about why I was at the March. I was there for my patient, Sara, a 28-year old born with a heart defect who could not get health insurance because of her pre-existing condition. She couldn’t pay for her medications. One day, she went into heart failure. By the time she came to the ER, her heart had stopped beating and she wasn’t breathing. We did everything we could, but her heart never beat again.

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Note From The Commissioner: Representing the Best of Public Service

Jan 19th, 2018

Last Friday, the Baltimore City Health Department hosted leaders from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, including Acting Secretary Eric Hargan and Surgeon General Jerome Adams. During the course of their visit, we brought up many issues that are important to us, including providing urgent, additional funding to stem the opioid epidemicprotecting Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act, and ensuring best available science and evidenced-based practices.

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