Recent News

Baltimore City Announces Beginning of Code Blue Season

Nov 16th, 2015

BALTIMORE, MD (November 16, 2015)– Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake and Health Commissioner Dr. Leana Wen announced the start of Baltimore City’s Code Blue program for the coming winter.

Code Blue is a multi-agency effort to reduce hypothermia deaths by protecting homeless individuals, seniors and other vulnerable populations from extreme cold weather.

Drug drop boxes coming to all Baltimore police stations

Nov 16th, 2015

Prescription drug drop boxes now will be available at all times at Baltimore's nine police district offices as the city works to stem heroin overdoses and other accidental drug deaths, health and p

Baltimore City established permanent drop boxes for the disposal of unwanted prescription drugs

Nov 16th, 2015

Baltimore City health officials announced the addition of nine permanent drop boxes for the disposal of unwanted prescription drugs.

Press A3 for Health – Healthier Vending in Baltimore

Nov 13th, 2015

You would think that working for the Health Department would make you automatically healthy. I’m here to tell you that we are people too. We’re people that get 3:00 sweet tooths. We’re people that have high hopes of packing a healthy lunch but end up going to the closest carryout. We’re people that have to decide whether to go to the closest market or spend more time and money going somewhere bigger and better.

Healthy Vending Machines

Commissioner Wen Issues Statement Commending HUD's Proposed Rule to Ban Smoking in Public Housing

Nov 12th, 2015

BALTIMORE, MD (November 12, 2015)–Today, Baltimore City Health Commissioner Dr. Leana Wen issued the following statement commending U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s proposed rule to make the nation’s public housing properties entirely smoke-free.

Field Health Services Experiencing Technical Difficulties

Nov 10th, 2015

Field Health Services is currently experiencing technical difficulties with their phone system.

Pitching Health Care In Baltimore's Red Light District

Nov 10th, 2015

Every Thursday night you can find Nathan Fields making the rounds of Baltimore's red light district, known to locals as The Block.

Dr. Leana Wen Advocates for ‘Healthy And Just’ Communities During American Public Health Association’s Annual Meeting

Nov 4th, 2015

CHICAGO, IL. (November 4, 2015)– Baltimore City Health Commissioner Dr. Leana Wen today spoke before 12,000 public health professionals at the closing general session of the 2015 American Public Health Association (APHA)’s Annual Meeting and Exposition. As part of a panel discussion with APHA Executive Director Dr. Georges Benjamin and Assistant Secretary of Health Dr. Karen DeSalvo, Dr. Wen spoke to the unique capability that public health leaders have to actively combat health disparities in their communities.

Baltimore City Announces New CEO for Behavioral Health Systems Baltimore

Nov 3rd, 2015

BALTIMORE, MD (November 3, 2015)– Today Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake and Health Commissioner Dr. Leana Wen announced the appointment of Kathleen Westcoat as the new President/CEO of Behavioral Health Systems Baltimore (BHSB). She will succeed Acting Interim CEO and Director of Information, Planning and Development Crista Taylor as the top executive for Baltimore’s behavioral health authority, effective December 1st, 2015.

“Kathleen has demonstrated a deep appreciation and love for our city, and will lead the charge as we seek to deliver critical care to those most in need,” said Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake. “Under her leadership, we look forward to making significant strides in behavioral health in Baltimore.”

Health Commissioner Wen Commends Council Health Committee for Advancing Bill to Ban Animal Fighting Paraphernalia

Nov 3rd, 2015

BALTIMORE, MD (November 3, 2015)– Baltimore City Council Health Commissioner Dr. Leana Wen commended the Baltimore City Council Health Committee for unanimously advancing a bill that would create a criminal charge for the possession of animal fighting paraphernalia during a public hearing today. Introduced in August by Mayor Rawlings-Blake, the legislation aims to make it easier to file charges against people involved in animal fighting if animal control or law enforcement officers enter a location that has clearly been used for animal fighting but find no animals present.

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