Earlier this week, I joined Congressman Elijah Cummings to urge all Marylanders to sign up for health insurance at marylandhealthconnection.gov. Open enrollment ends Dec 15th. Health insurance is about protecting yourself, your family, and all those around you. Congressman Cummings and I know that no one plans to be sick, but having health insurance provides peace of mind. After all, access to health is access to life.

Last weekend, Mayor Pugh led the Mayor’s Run as part of BCHD’s Healthy Baltimore Initiative and Billion Step Challenge. Baltimore City residents and BCHD staff braved the chilly temperatures to run two miles with the Mayor. I want to thank Mayor Pugh for supporting our Billion Step Challenge and for encouraging Baltimoreans to get active.

Speaking of chilly weather, I announced on Wednesday the start of Baltimore City’s Code Blue alert for the coming winter. This is a multi-agency effort to reduce hypothermia deaths and to provide public education about extreme cold weather. As we brace for dropping temperatures in the months ahead, we will monitor weather changes and urge people to stay indoors in safely heated areas to minimize the risk of hypothermia. If you must go outside in the cold, dress warmly and stay dry.

The ability of many residents to stay healthy and safe during the colder months is often determined by environmental and social factors outside of their control. If the currency of inequality is years of life, then the opposite of poverty is health. I am proud to work towards a more equitable Baltimore every day with a team that is dedicated to this goal.

Sincerely,

Leana Wen, M.D., M.Sc.

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