News Coverage

Democrats, health leaders protest potential loss of women’s health service funds (The Daily Record)

Maryland’s congressional delegation and Baltimore City officials denounced Monday a proposed federal rule that they say could restrict access to women’s healt

Baltimore City, Md. Congressional delegation fight proposed federal anti-abortion rule (Baltimore Business Journal)

Baltimore City's mayor and health commissioner were joined by the full force of the local Congressional delegation today in denouncing a move by the Trump adm

Baltimore officials denounce proposed cuts to reproductive health centers under federal rule (The Baltimore Sun)

Baltimore’s congressional delegation joined city officials Monday in denouncing potential federal cuts to reproductive health services.

Proposed Title X changes could affect health services funding in Baltimore, city delegation warns (WMAR)

Cities officials concerned about the effects potential new Title X restrictions might have on women's access to health services were joined in their worry by member's of Baltimore's Congressional delegation Monday.

Proposed changes to the Title X Family Planning Program may affect funding for Baltimore’s 23 sites that provide such services, warn Mayor Catherine Pugh, Baltimore City Health Commissioner Dr. Leana Wen, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen, U.S. Senator Ben Cardin, Congressman Elijah E. Cummings, Congressman C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger, and Congressman John Sarbanes.

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Leana Wen

I chose not to have an abortion, but I'm still glad I was counseled on the option (Baltimore Sun)

In an op-ed by a Baltimore City Health Department clinic client, she describes her experiences with the clinic and the dangers of the Title X proposed regulations for women like her. 

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Baltimore Bans Soda From Kids’ Menus to Curb Childhood Obesit (The Daily Meal)

In an effort to combat childhood obesity, Baltimore has become the first major U.S. city to ban soda and sugary drinks from kids’ menus in restaurants. The Baltimore City Healthy Kids Meals Bill was signed by Mayor Catherine Pugh in April and went into effect in mid-July. Menus aimed at children in the city can now only include water, non-sweetened flavored or sparkling water, milk, or 100 percent fruit juice, The Baltimore Sun reports.

In a statement, Baltimore Health Commissioner Dr. Leana Wen explained the change, saying, “Taking out empty calories from sugary drinks is a powerful lifestyle change we can make to help our children to get and stay healthy. This law will help families make the healthy choice the easy choice.”

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Leana Wen

Baltimore Bans Item From Kids' Menus (Mom.Me)

In an attempt to lower the rate of childhood obesity (at least in their city), Baltimore has a new law on the books that bans restaurants from serving sugary drinks to kids.

The Baltimore City Healthy Kids Meals Bill, signed by Mayor Catherine Pugh earlier this year—declaring that water, milk and 100 percent fruit juice are now the default beverage options for all kids' meals offered at restaurants in the city—went in effect last Wednesday. 

“The science is clear: One of the biggest contributors to childhood obesity is sugary drinks, and childhood obesity is a major risk factor for diabetes, heart disease and early death,” said Dr. Leana Wen.

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Leana Wen

Baltimore Bans Sugary Drinks Including Soda From Kids’ Menus (News Print UK)

Baltimore bans sugary drinks including soda from kids’ menus this week in an effort of fighting childhood obesity. Baltimore became the first largest city in the United States and the first on the East Coast to officially bar sodas and other sugary drinks from kids’ menus in city restaurants.

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Leana Wen

New law in Baltimore bars sodas from kids' menus (AP)

Restaurants in Baltimore are now officially barred from including sodas and other sugary drinks on kids' menus, according to a city ordinance that went into effect Wednesday.

Baltimore is now the biggest U.S. city and the first on the East Coast to pass this kind of measure, said Shawn McIntosh, director of the Maryland chapter of the Sugar Free Kids advocacy group. Seven California cities and Lafayette, Colorado, have enacted similar ordinances, according to health officials.

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Leana Wen

Baltimore bans sugary drinks from children's menus (cleveland.com)

odas and other sugary drinks are no longer an option on children's menus in the city's restaurants after a new regulation went into effect on Wednesday, according to reports. 

Baltimore is the first major city in the U.S. to take the action, NBC News reports. Several smaller cities have passed similar ordinances.

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Leana Wen

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