Press Releases

Baltimore City Health Department Celebrates 20,000 Residents Trained in Using Lifesaving Opioid Overdose Antidote, Naloxone

BALTIMORE, MD (February 3, 2017) — Baltimore City health officials today recognized that 20,000 residents have been trained to administer naloxone—the opioid overdose reversal medication—since January 2015. Over that period of time, the medication has been used by residents to save more than 800 lives. 

Baltimore City Health Commissioner Issues Statement in Response to SNAP Pilot Program

BALTIMORE, Md. (January 6, 2017)—Today, Baltimore City Health Commissioner Dr. Leana Wen issued the following statement in response to U.S. Department of Agriculture’s selection of three grocers in Maryland for a program designed to allow Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participants to purchase their groceries online.  

Health Commissioner Dr. Wen Declares Code Blue Alert in Baltimore Beginning Friday Night through the Weekend

BALTIMORE, MD (January 6, 2017) — With temperatures predicted to fall into the teens with wind chill this weekend, Baltimore City Health Commissioner Dr. Leana Wen today issued a Code Blue declaration for Baltimore City beginning Friday evening, January 6th through the morning of Monday, January 9th.

Baltimore City Health Commissioner Issues Statement in Response to Increase in Overdose Deaths in Baltimore City

BALTIMORE, Md. (December 29, 2016)— Today, Baltimore City Health Commissioner Dr. Leana Wen issued the following statement in response to new data showing an increase in fatal overdoses statewide. Preliminary data show that there were 481 fatal overdoses in Baltimore City from January through September 2016, compared to 286 during the same time period last year. The number of people who died from overdoses relating to fentanyl has increased from 75 to 267—an 18-fold increase since 2013.

Baltimore City Health Department Provides Update on Facebook Post Concerning Potential Food Violation

BALTIMORE, MD (December 21, 2016)On Tuesday December 20th, the Baltimore City Health Department was alerted to a Facebook post claiming to identify a skinned anim

Baltimore City Health Department Hosts Public Meeting of the Work Group on Drug Treatment Access and Neighborhood Relations

BALTIMORE, Md. (December 20, 2016)—The Baltimore City Health Department (BCHD) today heard testimony from community members and national policy leaders during an open meeting of the Work Group on Drug Treatment Access and Neighborhood Relations. The session included panel discussions with hospital and university leaders as well as national and local policy experts, including Mayor Catherine E. Pugh, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use Kana Enomoto, and Deputy Director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse Dr. Wilson Compton.

Baltimore City Health Department Hosts Healthy Baltimore 2020 Community Conversation on Aging

BALTIMORE, Md. (December 19, 2016)—The Baltimore City Health Department (BCHD) today hosted the latest Healthy Baltimore 2020 Community Conversation, a town hall meeting offering residents the opportunity to provide public comment on Healthy Baltimore 2020—BCHD’s recently released strategic blueprint for health and wellness through the lens of health equity.

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.

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:

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.

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