Recent News

Health Commissioner Dr. Leana Wen Declares First Code Blue Alert of the Winter Season

BALTIMORE, Md. (December 14, 2016)—With temperatures predicted to fall into single-digits with wind chill, Baltimore City Health Commissioner Dr. Leana Wen today issued a Code Blue declaration for Baltimore City overnight Wednesday until noon Friday. This is the first Code Blue alert for Baltimore this season.

A health wish list for the president-elect

President-elect Trump, I oversee health in Baltimore, a city where Democrats have a nine-to-one majority. I agree with you: our healthcare system is broken. 

Despite spending more than any other country, we continue to rank poorly on basic measures of health and well-being. Fifty-six countries have a lower infant mortality rate than we do. Fifty-two have a higher average life expectancy. We are paying more for less, and Americans are suffering the consequences.

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Dr. Wen Joins Bipartisan Panel at the National Summit to End Lead Poisoning

Dr Wen at National Summit for Lead Poisoning Prevention Dec 2016

Earlier this week, Dr. Wen joined federal officials, physicians, patient advocates, policy experts, and public health leaders, including U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development  Secretary Julian Castro New York Times Best Selling Author Wes Moore,  and Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha of the Hurley Medical Center for the National Summit to End Lead Poisoning in Washington, DC, convened by the Green & Healthy Homes InitiativeHealthy Babies Bright FuturesIcahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, and the National Center for Healthy Housing.

During a panel, titled “Engaging Communities, Building on Common Ground,” Dr. Wen joined Ben Jealous, Partner at Kapor Capital and former national President of the NAACP; Former Maryland Governor Robert Ehrlich, Jr.; Eylssa Koidin Schmier, Senior Campaign Director at MomsRising; and Michael Bodaken, President of the National Housing Trust, to discuss how leaders across sectors can work together to end the scourge of lead poisoning in America.

Pugh pledges to restructure Baltimore housing, economic development agencies (Baltimore Sun)

Mayor Catherine E. Pugh announced plans Wednesday to reorganize Baltimore's housing and economic development agencies and reiterated her intention to fire the housing commissioner.

The new mayor said she wants to broaden the role of the Baltimore Development Corp. and split the housing agency into two departments. She said both actions are aimed at directing investment to all corners of the city.

"We are reviewing how we will operate economically," Pugh said. "Who is going to be responsible for bringing manufacturing back to the city? … Who is going to be responsible for making sure economic development goes on in every part of our city? What do we need to do to be a force to be reckoned with?"

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Baltimore City Health Commissioner Commends Congress for Passing 21st Century Cures Act

BALTIMORE, Md. (December 7, 2016)—Today, Baltimore City Health Commissioner Dr. Leana Wen issued the following statement in response to Congress’ passage of the 21st Century Cures Act, which authorizes $1 billion over two years to address the opioid epidemic, in addition to funding for mental health research and treatment:

Dr. Wen Joins Panel for the White House Making Healthcare Better Series

Dr. Wen Speaking at White House Making Health Care Better Series on Substance Use Disorder

On Wednesday, Dr. Wen joined Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, Office of National Drug Control Policy Director Michael Botticelli, National Association of County and City Health Officials Executive Director Dr. LaMar Hasbrouck, as well as leaders and advocates from across the country for the final event in the White House's Making Healthcare Better Series on Substance Use Disorder.

“It was an honor to be in the company of so many federal, state, and local leaders who are ensuring that substance use disorders are treated with the same compassion and urgency as other diseases,” Dr. Wen said. “Now is the time to make our voices heard, to make sure that the next administration builds on the progress made. We must continue with science-based approaches to affirm that addiction is a disease; treatment exists; and regarding it as a moral failing is unethical and inhumane.”

Dr. Wen shared progress made in Baltimore to eliminate stigma and save lives from overdose. Last year, she issued a standing order to give all Baltimore City residents access to naloxone, the opioid overdose reversal medication. Since then, nearly 17,000 residents have been trained and have saved the lives of 531 Baltimoreans.

Baltimore Honors World AIDS Day with “A Celebration of Life”

Baltimore World Aids Day A Celebration of Life Dr. Wen presents Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake with award

In recognition of World AIDS Day 2016, representatives across Baltimore City honored those lost to AIDS and recommitted to eliminating the disease in Baltimore City. World AIDS Day is a global annual event held on December 1st to unite in the fight against HIV, show support for those living with HIV, and commemorate those who have passed.

Throughout the day, BCHD and partners across the city provided free testing for residents, culminating with an evening event with Mayor Rawlings-Blake to celebrate those with HIV who are living and thriving, while honoring lives lost.

“As we recognize World AIDS Day, we acknowledge that while Baltimore has made much progress, much more must be done,” said Dr. Wen said Thursday. “We must continue to do the critical work of public health to reduce disparities and fight stigma, because we cannot afford to lose the next generation to this potential deadly, but preventable disease.”

Baltimore City Commemorates World AIDS Day

BALTIMORE, MD (December 1, 2016) – In recognition of World AIDS Day 2016, representatives across Baltimore City honored those lost to AIDS and recommitted to eliminating the disease in Baltimore City. World AIDS Day is a global annual event held on December 1st to unite in the fight against HIV, show support for those living with HIV, and commemorate those who have passed.

City Health Commissioner Indifferent With Trump's HHS Pick But Hopes For Continued Support (WBAL Radio)

President-elect Donald Trump announced Tuesday the nomination of Georgia Rep. Tom Price to head Department of Heath and Human Services.

The selection of Price, a Republican and staunch foe of the Affordable Care Act, split many. But for Leana Wen, the health commissioner of Baltimore City, she said she cancels out the noise and focuses on her main objective: Making sure that the residents of Baltimore City are provided care.

"In response to the nomination -- and in general with the transition going on -- I convened a group of my colleagues ... 11 of us wrote a letter delivered to the Trump administration on why it is important to continue to invest in public health," Wen said on The C4 Show Thursday morning. "An investment in public health reduces the cost that's necessary later on and frankly, it's the right thing to do."

To keep the process moving in the right direction, Wen is looking for continued supported at the state and federal level.

Amid Opioid Crisis, Needle Exchanges Are Losing Their Stigma (Governing)

In January, Congress lifted a decades-long ban on federal funding for needle exchange programs and clinics. Since then, the number of programs has skyrocketed, driven in large part by the opioid epidemic. Programs have popped up in states that might never have considered them -- or might even have actively opposed them -- only 10 years ago. “Kentucky has gone from zero to 11 programs,” says Daniel Raymond, policy director at the Harm Reduction Coalition. “Florida authorized a program in Miami -- and we thought they would never have one.”

The goal of needle exchanges, in which drug users hand in their used syringes for new sterile ones, is to reduce the number of infections from diseases like HIV and hepatitis -- illnesses that are transmitted through the sharing of contaminated needles.

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