Recent News

Dr. Wen on WYPR's Midday Healthwatch

Dr. Wen was interviewed on WYPR's Midday Healthwatch, where she talked about some of the key legislative battles being waged over public health policy, and addressed listeners' comments and questions.

Listen to the full interview.

Leana WenAffordable Care Actopioidsnaloxone

City Council Confirms De Sousa and Bans Sugary Drinks (WYPR)

WYPR’s City Hall Reporter Dominique Maria Bonessi talks with Morning Edition Host, Nathan Sterner, about witnessing the vote and other measures that would ban various things in the city.

Listen to entire segment.

Leana Wen

The wrong approach to Maryland's opioid overdose epidemic (The Baltimore Sun)

"Research shows that naloxone distribution reduces fatal overdoses without increasing drug use. People who use drugs do not want to die, nor do they want to suffer through the pain of being revived with naloxone. Denying someone naloxone because it might make him use drugs is just as absurd as withholding an Epi-Pen because it might make someone eat more peanuts," said Dr. Wen.

To read the entire article, click here.

Leana Wen

Sugary drinks are causing chronic illnesses — we need policy changes to combat them (The Hill)

"Numerous studies have shown that regular consumption of sugary drinks is a major factor in childhood obesity, promoting public health officials to call for eliminating these empty calories as the single biggest lifestyle change parents and children can make," said Dr. Wen.

To read the full story, click here.

Leana Wen

Experts: Opioid Problem Difficult but Solvable (MedPage Today)

Healthcare professionals can improve patient screening for opioid abuse and better identify patients with opioid use disorder, experts said here Friday, recognizing that these efforts will be difficult. 

"It's so frustrating because we know what works," said Dr. Leana Wen. "It's so easy, I cannot understand why we don't do it more ... We are rationing Narcan."

Read the entire story.

Leana Wenopioidsnaloxone

City moves to remove sugary drinks from kids' menu (ABC 2 News)

In it's second reading the Baltimore City Council unanimously voted Monday for the Healthy Kids’ Meal Bill (17-0152). The bill sponsored by Councilmember Brandon Scott would make water, milk and 100% fruit juice and sparkling water the default beverage options for all restaurants kids’ meals in the city of Baltimore at no extra charge.

Read the entire article.

Leana Wen

Baltimore City Council should pass bill banning sugary drinks from kids' menus (Baltimore Sun)

Pastor Kevin A. Slayton Sr. shares his opinion on why sugary drinks bill should pass.

Read the entire article

Restaurants dismayed as healthy kids’ meals bill close to passage in Baltimore (Daily Record)

The Baltimore City Council appears poised to pass a bill requiring restaurants to make children’s meals healthier, drawing ire from the industry.

“Taking out empty calories from sugary drinks is a powerful lifestyle change we can make to help our children to get and stay healthy,” said Dr. Leana Wen, the city’s health commissioner, in a statement. 

Read the entire article.

Leana Wen

The menace of lead poisoning (The Economist)

About a year ago a letter from Baltimore’s health department brought Michelle Burnside, a therapist who works with disabled children, dreadful news. 

Read the entire story.

Public Health Heroes: Maternal and Infant Care Program’s Nurse Family Partnership

The Health Department’s Maternal and Infant Care program (M&I), operates the national Nurse Family Partnership (NFP) home visiting model to help low-income, first-time mothers have healthy pregnancies and successful birth and aftercare outcomes

Maternal Health Blog

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