Agency News Dr. Wen Testifies before the Senate HELP Committee on the Opioid Epidemic On Tuesday December 8th, Dr. Wen testified before the United States Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) to offer her perspective on the opioid epidemic affecting millions across the country, and to propose suggestions to improve federal policies to combat and ultimately end the opioid epidemic. Joining Dr. Wen at the "Opioid Abuse in America: Facing the Epidemic and Examining Solutions," hearing were Robert Valuck, Ph.D. a professor of pharmaceutical science and Eric Spofford CEO of Granite House recovery center. After discussing Baltimore’s comprehensive efforts to combat opioid abuse, Dr. Wen recommended federal support including expansion of funding and availability of on-demand addiction treatment, providing cities and states with opportunities to innovate around addiction recovery, monitoring the price of naloxone, and working to reduce stigma nationally. "Baltimore has been fighting the heroin and opioid epidemic for decades and we continue to make progress with bold ideas and innovative strategies. Our efforts around opioid addiction seek to change the face of Baltimore from the "heroin capitol" to becoming the center of addiction recovery. We are glad to share our lessons with our counterparts around the country and with our national leaders. With dedicated partners like you in Congress, we can fight the epidemic together, save lives and reclaim people and their families." Dr. Wen stated. |
Baltimore is Announced as the latest Fast Track City in the International Fight Against HIV Dr. Wen, Dr. Patrick Chaulk and Nathan Fields joined federal officials at the White House to announce that Baltimore has joined the Fast-Track Cities Initiative, a declaration to end the HIV/AIDS epidemic in cities across the world. Launched on World AIDS Day 2014 in Paris, the Fast-Track Cities Initiative leverages existing HIV programs and resources in high HIV incidence cities around the world to strengthen their AIDS responses and accelerate the scale-up of prevention, testing, and treatment services for HIV and comorbid diseases, including tuberculosis. Nathan joined a panel of experts from across the country to talk about the work on the ground here in Baltimore, including information about: outreach on our community risk reduction needle exchange van, services provided at STD clinics and our other outreach testing services. "Becoming a Fast-Track City recognizes Baltimore's innovative efforts to work with stakeholders to implement locally relevant, individually tailored, and community led strategies to curb stigma, reduce the number of new HIV infections and end AIDS-related deaths in our city," said Dr.Wen. |
Dr. Wen Joins Vice President Biden at Aspen Institute Summit On November 19th Dr. Wen joined over 300 policymakers, thought leaders, social entrepreneurs, philanthropists, and community advocates at the Aspen Institute Summit on Inequality & Opportunity, a one-day gathering in Washington, DC, dedicated to nonpartisan dialogue about the widening opportunity gap in the United States. Dr. Wen spoke about the relationship between inequality and health disparities. The Summit began with a half-day public program, concluding with remarks from Vice President Joe Biden, and followed by an afternoon of policy roundtable discussions. Joining the dialogue was a host of experts, pioneering practitioners, and big thinkers including Cecelia Munoz, Director of the White House Domestic Policy Council, Darren Walker, President of the Ford Foundation, Arthur Brooks, President of The American Enterprise Institute, and Samuel Hoi, President of Maryland Institute College of Art. A panel of local youth also joined the program. |
Kathy Westcoat Appointed New CEO for Behavioral Health Systems Baltimore Behavioral Health System Baltimore (BHSB), the nonprofit organization that oversees the city’s behavioral health system, has a selected a new CEO. Starting December 1st, Kathy Westcoat former President/CEO of Healthcare Access Maryland (HCAM), will lead BHSB. Under her watch, HCAM connected thousands of Marylanders with access to affordable health care under the Affordable Care Act and expanded behavioral health services for pregnant and postpartum women, immigrants, people experiencing homelessness, youth in foster care, individuals with substance use disorders, and other vulnerable populations throughout the state. We believe with her proven track record, unquestioning dedication to Baltimore City, and clear vision for the future of behavioral health, she will be an excellent partner with the City to guide innovative approaches to serve the critical need of behavioral health in Baltimore City. |
Baltimore City Commemorates 2015 World Aids Day | | In recognition of the 2015 World AIDS Day, the Baltimore City Health Department hosted clinics across the city to provide free testing, diagnosis and treatment for residents. The day's events culminated in a remembrance vigil hosted by Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake and members of the Mayor’s HIV Planning Group to honor loved ones who have passed away from HIV/AIDS as well as to celebrate the progress Baltimore has made with this issue. Dr. Wen and Dr. Patrick Chaulk spoke about our efforts to reduce new HIV infections in Baltimore and combat the stigma surrounding HIV. |
NPR highlights BCHD Harm Reduction Work NPR released a story highlighting the work of Nathan Fields and his team at the Needle Exchange Van. The article commends his efforts to prevent drug overdoses and stop the spread of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases on the Block. To effectively reach those he serves, Fields had to first build trust among the community and on the Block. Once he did so, Nathan was able to provide them with critical health services. Every Thursday, health workers from the needle exchange van offer training in the anti-overdose drug naloxone, HIV tests, reproductive health exams, pregnancy tests, flu shots and other basic health care services. Speaking of his work on the Block, Fields said "You know, every time I can get somebody to even thinking different or even consider going into treatment, I feel as though I had a successful day." |
Dr. Wen Closes the 2015 American Public Health Association Conference in Chicago Dr. Wen spoke on Wednesday November 4th before 13,000 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 President Dr. Camara Jones 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. “As public health leaders, we have to be the strong voices, the willing listeners, and advocates for health, that our communities deserve,” said Dr. Wen. “That means meeting people where they are, and treating each person because their life matters. I am proud to stand before my fellow public health leaders around the country to share the innovative work that Baltimore is doing to work towards healthy communities as we aim to eliminate disparities and pursue justice.” This year’s national conference brought over 12,000 professionals from all fields of public health together, to discuss the theme: Health in All Policies. Other speakers throughout the conference included: - U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy
- U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Julián Castro
- Acting Assistant Secretary for Health, HHS Dr. Karen DeSalvo
- President of the University of Maryland, Baltimore County Dr. Freeman Hrabowski
- Environmentalist Ed Begley, Jr.
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Baltimore Establishes Permanent Drop Boxes for Disposal of Unwanted Prescription Drugs The Baltimore City Health Department, Behavioral Health System Baltimore, and the Baltimore Police Department announced the establishment of nine new locations— one at each Baltimore City police precinct station— to allow individuals to return any expired or unused medication, including prescription opioids, such as Percocet, OxyContin or Vicodin, with no questions asked. The prescription return boxes will be accessible at all times and are the only locations in the city where Baltimoreans can safely and anonymously dispose of opioids and other prescription drugs, which remain a significant source of addiction in Baltimore. Prescription painkiller abuse often leads to heroin abuse and many people are overdosing from prescriptions nationwide. Offering a safe way to dispose of excess prescription pills is an important step in getting pills out of households and off the streets. We are continuing to expand our prevention efforts and increase access to naloxone across the city. Dr. Wen Leads a Nalaxone Training with Senator Elizabeth Warren | | | On December 8th, after the Senate HELP hearing on the opioid epidemic, Dr.Wen met with Senator Elizabeth Warren to discuss our efforts in Baltimore. Senator Warren applauded our harm reduction efforts in Baltimore and emphasized the importance of public health. As was highlighted during the HELP hearing, Dr. Wen trained Senator Warren and her staff on how to administer the opioid-reversing drug naloxone, which has been used effectively in Baltimore to prevent fatal overdose. |
BCHD Applauds New Proposed HUD Rule The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development propose a new federal rule to make the nation’s public housing properties entirely smoke-free. Dr. Wen issued a statement of support, applauding HUD’s decision to eliminate smoking in public housing: “As an E.R doctor I have seen far too many patients suffer and ultimately die from the effects tobacco use. As the city’s doctor, I know that tobacco causes diseases that kill far too many across our city: heart disease, lung disease, and cancer. But it doesn’t just affect adults who smoke. Secondhand smoke is a leading cause of asthma and breathing problems in children. The air that we breathe is absolutely critical to our health. We need to eliminate all smoking in indoor spaces. This proposed rule will protect all Baltimoreans and ensure that all of our children grow up in healthy, smoke-free homes.” |
Council Health Passes Bill to Ban Animal Fighting Paraphernalia The Baltimore City Council Health Committee unanimously passed a bill that would will create a criminal charge for the possession of animal fighting paraphernalia. Introduced in August by Mayor Rawlings-Blake, the legislation aims will 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. Items that would will now be prohibited in the legislation include: - Breaking sticks designed for insertion behind the molars of a dog to break the dog's grip on another animal or object;
- Cat mills which rotate around a central support with one arm designed to secure a dog and one arm designed to secure a cat, rabbit, or other small animal beyond the grasp of the dog;
- Springpoles which have a biting surface attached to a stretchable device, suspended at a height sufficient to prevent an animal from reaching the biting surface while touching the ground;
- Fighting pits or other confined areas designed to contain an animal fight; and
- Breeding stands or rape stands used to immobilize female dogs for breeding purposes.
This legislation would will criminalize the possession of animal fighting paraphernalia with a $1,000 penalty and up to 90 days jail time. B'more Health Talks Tune in for December’s B’More Health Talk on Friday, December 11th from 12:30-1:30PM. Successfully launched this summer, the Health Talks take the form of a virtual town hall meeting to discuss health disparities across our city. On our next Health Talk we will be discussing food and the food environment with a focus on the effects of sugar sweetened beverages and we will be joined by special guest councilman Nick Mosby and Delegate Joseline Peña-Melnuk! You can listen in by calling 605-562-3180 and using the access code 117-245-291 and tweet-chat live with the hashtag #BMoreHealthTalks. In the meantime, we hope you will email us at bmoreheard@baltimorecity.gov with suggestions, ideas, or comments for this and future episodes. To listen to our previous episodes, please visit: www.soundcloud.com/bmorehealthtalks |
New Training to Help Public Health Representatives Better Serve Children of Incarcerated Parents Did you know that more than 2.7 million children in the US have an incarcerated parent? In fact, 1 in 9 African American children, 1 in 28 Hispanic children, and 1 in 57 white children in the U.S. have an incarcerated parent. In support of our children and families, the Baltimore City Health Department, Office of Youth Violence Prevention in conjunction with the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) hosted a free, two day training with two national known experts with years of experience serving children with incarcerated parents on October 26 and the 27th at the Reginald F. Lewis Museum. BCHD in the News Community Events Information on many additional community events can be found on BCHD's website. We want to hear from you! Have a unique talent? Doing great things in the community? Have you made a healthy lifestyle change? To nominate yourself or a colleague to get featured in the newsletter just contact BCHD2@baltimorecity.gov. Thank you! Stay in the loop and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and BCHD Blog and don't forget to visit the website. Commissioner’s office hours are 8-8:30am every day, please come by. |
