Recent News

City Health Commissioner: More Deaths From Overdose Than Homicide In Baltimore (WJZ)

Feb 13th, 2017

The number of people dying from opioid overdoses has reached epidemic proportions. City and state officials say it’s a national problem.

Baltimore city declaring the opioid problem a public health emergency.

“There are more people dying from overdose here in Baltimore City than they Are dying from homicide,” says Dr. Leana Wen, Baltimore City Health Commissioner.

Health experts tell WJZ part of the problem is that these drugs are easy to get and deadlier than most people think.

A silent killer, growing deadlier by the day. Opioids, meant to relieve pain, cause a spike in overdoses and deaths. Fentanyl, one of the most potent drugs, is 100 times stronger than heroin.

Read the entire story.

Commissioner's Corner: Black History Month & Public Health Equity

Feb 10th, 2017

As Black History Month begins, it is necessary for us all to consider how public health and social justice are inextricably connected. We are a city that believes that when there is injustice, inequality, or threats to hope and opportunity, we are obligated to act. In Baltimore, we are working everyday with our communities to reduce health disparities.

Health Commissioner Dr. Wen Declares Code Blue Alert in Baltimore Overnight Tonight Through Friday Morning

Feb 9th, 2017

BALTIMORE, MD (February 9, 2017) – With temperatures predicted to fall into the teens with wind chill, Baltimore City Health Commissioner Dr. Leana Wen today issued a Code Blue declaration for Baltimore City beginning tonight, Thursday, February 9th through the morning of Friday, February 10th.

America’s Ongoing Opioid Crisis (WBUR NPR)

Feb 8th, 2017

Americans are dying right and left from opioids. The Oxycontin family. The heroin. Now the fentanyl, many times stronger than heroin. A new report says the fentanyl is pouring in from China. By mail and delivery service. Top destination: Ohio.  President Trump says “build a wall.” This hour On Point, we ask what it’s really going to take to stop the epidemic. Plus, Senator Elizabeth Warren, shut down on the US Senate floor last night for critiquing Senator Jeff Sessions with the words of Coretta Scott King. — Tom Ashbrook

Listen to the entire story.

Baltimore City Commemorates National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day

Feb 7th, 2017

BALTIMORE, MD (February 7, 2017) – In recognition of National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, the Baltimore City Health Department and partners across the city held a series of community-based testing opportunities and events mobilizing communities to get educated, get tested, and get treated.

Get Ready to Launch Your Online Web Map Gallery (ESRI)

Feb 6th, 2017

Jonathan Gross and Darcy Phelan-Emrick, Baltimore City Health Department employees, wrote the article published by Esri. 

A web map gallery on ArcGIS Online showcases the work of your organization. The authors provide best practices for creating and launching your own web map gallery so you can share your work throughout your organization and raise the profile of your GIS program. They also include tips that will help you make the most effective use of mapping products in your organization. 

Read the entire article.

Baltimore gets donation of naloxone injectors to fight opioid addiction (ABC2)

Feb 6th, 2017

Baltimore City has received a donation of about 5,000 naloxone auto injectors from pharmaceutical company Kaléo.

The donation was announced at a public naloxone training and community celebration at Helping Up Mission, an organization that provides recovery services for men in Baltimore. 

A total of 20,000 Baltimore residents have been trained to used naloxone-- a drug that can prevent opioid overdoses--in the last two years, the city's health commissioner said. 

Read the entire story.

Healthwatch With Dr. Leana Wen: Stepping Up The Fight Against Opioid Addiction And Misuse (WYPR)

Feb 3rd, 2017

Mirroring the nationwide epidemic, the number of opioid addiction and abuse victims in Baltimore continues to rise, and overdose cases crowd the city’s emergency rooms.  Last week, Maryland Governor Larry Hogan appointed a Heroin and Opioid Emergency Task Force, and proposed new legislation for the General Assembly that would put strict limits on opioid prescriptions and impose tough new penalties for traffickers.  On this month's edition of  Healthwatch, Baltimore City Health Commissioner Dr. Leana Wen joins Tom Hall  to discuss the city’s continuing response to the opioid epidemic.

Listen to the entire audio. 

Baltimore City Health Department Celebrates 20,000 Residents Trained in Using Lifesaving Opioid Overdose Antidote, Naloxone

Feb 3rd, 2017

BALTIMORE, MD (February 3, 2017) — Baltimore City health officials today recognized that 20,000 residents have been trained to administer naloxone—the opioid overdose reversal medication—since January 2015. Over that period of time, the medication has been used by residents to save more than 800 lives. 

Commissioner's Corner: Baltimore is a Welcoming City & Saving Lives with Naloxone

Feb 3rd, 2017

Earlier this week, Mayor Pugh reassured our residents that Baltimore is and will remain a welcoming city for immigrants. I want to both thank and stand with her in supporting our residents.

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