Press Releases

Baltimore Health Officials Call on City Council to Pass Legislation to Educate Residents about the Dangers of Sugary Drinks

Jun 7th, 2016

BALTIMORE, MD (June 7, 2016)– Baltimore City Health Commissioner Dr. Leana Wen joined community advocates today to call on the Baltimore City Council to pass legislation to require warning labels for sugar-sweetened beverages on advertisements, restaurant menus, and in any point of sale in the city where these products are sold during a hearing of the Council’s Health Committee. Sugar-sweetened beverages contain added caloric sweetener, such as soda, energy drinks, sports drinks, most juices, sweetened coffee drinks, sweetened teas, etc.

Baltimore City Health Commissioner Commends New Guidelines on Medicaid Reimbursements to Combat Zika Virus

Jun 1st, 2016

BALTIMORE, MD (June 2, 2016)–Today Baltimore City Health Commissioner Dr. Leana Wen issued the following statement following the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ guidance clarifying the availability of Medicaid funds for the prevention, detection, and response to the Zika Virus:

Baltimore City Health Commissioner Urges Caution as Code Orange Air Quality Issued

May 25th, 2016

BALTIMORE, MD (May 26, 2016)– With a heat index of 84 degrees and unhealthy air quality expected today, Baltimore City Health Commissioner Dr. Leana Wen is urging caution for Baltimore City residents, especially members of “sensitive groups.”

Baltimore City Health Commissioner, Dr. Leana Wen Delivers 2016 Commencement Address at Notre Dame of Maryland University

May 22nd, 2016

Baltimore City Health Comisisoner Dr. Leana Wen today delivered the address at the 2016 Commencement of Notre Dame of Maryland University (NDMU) at the Royal Farms Arena. NDMU President Marylou Yam presided over the ceremony.

Baltimore City Health Commissioner Calls on Congress to Provide Additional Funding to Combat Zika Virus

May 19th, 2016

BALTIMORE, MD (May 19, 2016)–Today Baltimore City Health Commissioner Dr. Leana Wen issued the following statement following this week’s votes by Congress to approve funding to combat the Zika Virus:

Baltimore City Health Commissioner Commends U.S. District Court Decision to Uphold Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Warning Label Law

May 19th, 2016

BALTIMORE, MD (May 19, 2016)–Today Baltimore City Health Commissioner Dr. Leana Wen issued the following statement following this week’s decision by the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California to uphold the City of San Francisco’s proposed law to require warning labels for sugar-sweetened beverages:

Baltimore City Health Department Launches New Restaurant Inspection Web Portal

May 17th, 2016

BALTIMORE, MD (May 17, 2016)– The Baltimore City Health Department (BCHD) today released a new inspection web portal that provides the public with easy access to recent food service facility inspection data online. This new public portal, available at http://baltimore.foodinspectionreports.com/, provides greater transparency into the inspection process and allows constituents to make better informed dining choices.

Baltimore City Announces Beginning of Code Red Season

May 16th, 2016

BALTIMORE, MD (May 16, 2016)– The Baltimore City Health Department today announced the start of Baltimore City’s Code Red program for the coming summer.

Code Red is a multi-agency effort to provide help provide cooling relief to vulnerable populations in Baltimore. Throughout the summer, City agencies provide public education to residents on the effects of sustained heat on health and perform outreach regarding energy assistance programs for senior residents and other susceptible groups through Community Action Partnership Centers.

Baltimore City Announces New Citywide Initiative to Provide Free Universal Vision Screening and Glasses to Students

May 10th, 2016

BALTIMORE, MD (May 10, 2016)– The Baltimore City Health Department (BCHD), the Baltimore City Public School System (BCPSS), Johns Hopkins University (JHU), non-profit provider Vision To Learn (VTL), and Warby Parker today launched “Vision for Baltimore,” an innovative citywide strategy to ensure that students across Baltimore City elementary and middle schools have universal access to glasses.

Baltimore City Health Officials Urge Residents to Dispose of Unwanted Prescription Drugs at Baltimore City Police District Offices

Apr 29th, 2016

BALTIMORE, MD (April 29, 2016) –  On Saturday, April 30th, Baltimore City Health officials will recognize National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, a nationwide initiative to highlight safe, convenient, and responsible means of disposing of prescription drugs in communities, while raising awareness about prescription drug abuse.

Late last year, Baltimore City introduced permanent prescription return boxes at all nine Baltimore Police District stations to allow individuals to safely and anonymously return any expired or unused medication, including prescription opioids, such as Percocet, OxyContin or Vicodin— with no questions asked.

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