Recent News

Health Commissioner Dr. Wen Speaks at Open Society Institute’s Solutions Summit

Oct 7th, 2016

Last Saturday, Dr. Wen spoke at the Open Society Institute’s Solutions Summit to address the public health issues faced by Baltimore City in the realm of behavioral health. The Solutions Summit is the fourth step in OSI’s process to approach the office of the Mayor with significant actionable steps to address the major issues. OSI began the process in early 2016 to convene a community of voices based behavioral health providers, consumers, and advocates to surface critical issues they face in their work in the field of behavioral health in Baltimore. OSI specifically focuses on drug addiction treatment, criminal and juvenile justice, and education while focusing on the nexus between race and poverty.

Ending Health Care Discrimination (Fusion)

Oct 7th, 2016

File Ending Health Care Discrimination

Fusion, a multi-platform media network, recently published a new video highlighting Baltimore City Health Commissioner Dr. Leana Wen and her ongoing efforts to change the way we view health in our city.

Finding answers to heroin deaths a key to prevention (Cincinati Enquirer)

Oct 7th, 2016

BALTIMORE - Once a month, a team of high-level officials looks at every overdose fatality and the path that each individual took that led to death.

The Baltimore Overdose Fatality Review Team's goal: Identify missed opportunities for prevention, gaps in the system and areas for increased collaboration.

"We have high-level representatives from police, fire, health, behavioral health, SUD (substance use disorders) providers, the coroner's office parole and probation, hospital emergency departments, social services, pharmacy, office of the public defender, states attorney’s office, Maryland Poison Control, and our chief medical officer," said Adrienne Breidenstine, spokeswoman for Behavioral Health System Baltimore.

Colgate Bright Smiles, Bright Future’s 25th Anniversary Event

Oct 5th, 2016

On Monday, Dr. Wen joined Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, Baltimore City Comptroller Joan Pratt, Arlington Middle and Elementary School Principal Emily Hunter, representatives from Colgate Dr. Marsha Butler and Dawna Fields, and Ravens Wide Receiver Steve Smith Sr. to celebrate Colgate’s Bright Smiles, Bright Future 25th anniversary. Baltimore City Public Schools partners with Colgate to ensure that hundreds of students have access to oral cancer and cavity screenings provided on a mobile van. The program also teaches children the importance of dental hygiene.

Baltimore City Experiences Record Low Infant Mortality Rate in 2015

Oct 5th, 2016

BALTIMORE, MD (October 5, 2016) – Baltimore City health officials announced Wednesday that in 2015, Baltimore City experienced the lowest infant mortality rate on record: 8.4 per 1,000 live births—a 19 percent decline from 2014. The previous low of 9.7 deaths per 1,000 live births was recorded in 2012.

Field Health Services Transportation Vendor Experiencing Technical Difficulties

Oct 1st, 2016

Field Health Services's transportation vendor is experiencing technical difficulties. As such, there may be a delay for clients when requesting ride updates and estimated times of arrivals.

Baltimore City Announces $500,000 Grant for Hospital-Based Violence Interrupters

Sep 30th, 2016

BALTIMORE, Md. (September 29, 2016)—The Baltimore City Health Department (BCHD) today announced that the agency has been awarded a $500,000 grant by the U.S. Department of Justice’s (DOJ) Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) to support the planning and implementation of a comprehensive hospital-based community violence intervention program.

Baltimore City Health Commissioner Commends Congress for Allocating Funding to Prevent Spread of Zika Virus

Sep 29th, 2016

BALTIMORE, MD (September 29, 2016) – Baltimore City Health Commissioner Dr. Leana Wen issued the following statement in response to Congress’ decision to provide funding to combat the Zika virus as a part of a short-term spending bill passed last night.

Baltimore City Health Commissioner Honored by American Public Health Association for Local Health Innovation

Sep 28th, 2016

BALTIMORE, Md. (September 28, 2016) – Baltimore City Health Commissioner Dr. Leana Wen was announced as a recipient of the American Public Health Association’s (APHA) Milton and Ruth Roemer Prize for Creative Local Public Health Work, an annual award bestowed upon a local health officer in recognition of outstanding creative and innovative public health work. 

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

Sep 23rd, 2016

BALTIMORE, Md. (September 23, 2016) – Today, Baltimore City Health Commissioner Dr. Leana Wen issued the following statement in response to new data released by the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene showing an increase in fatal overdoses statewide. Preliminary data show that there were 290 fatal overdoses in Baltimore City during the first half of 2016, compared to 188 during the same time period last year.

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