Recent News

Mayor and City Health, Fire & Police Leaders, Safe Kids Baltimore Join To Highlight How Kids Can Stay Safe During Hot Weather

Jun 30th, 2015

Last week, Baltimore City experienced the tragic death of Leasia Carter, a 2-year-old girl who was reportedly left in a vehicle for 24 hours.  Leasia is one of nearly 650 children nationwide who have tragically died since 1998 after being left in automobiles during hot weather.

Today, Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, Baltimore City Health Commissioner Dr. Leana Wen, leadership from the Baltimore City Fire Department and Baltimore Police Department and Safe Kids Baltimore/ University of Maryland Children's Hospital held a press conference to remind parents and caregivers of safety tips for children in the summer.  Topics covered included the dangers of hot weather, fireworks safety, swimming pool safety and the importance of knowing CPR.

“Each and every one of the nearly 650 kids who have died after being left unattended in a vehicle was preventable,” said Dr. Wen. “Even on a day that is just in the mid 70’s outside, temperatures inside vehicles can reach life-threatening levels very quickly. This is true particularly for children - kids’ bodies warm 3 to 5 times faster than an adult’s body does.”

Dr. Wen: Apply a Public Health Approach to Prevent Youth Violence

Jun 30th, 2015

Baltimore City Health Commissioner Dr. Leana Wen joined senior Justice Department officials, police chiefs, school leaders and youth from more than 30 cities to discuss Baltimore’s strategy for reducing youth violence during the Fifth National Summit on Preventing Youth Violence. Under Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake’s direction, Dr. Wen is leading a city-wide effort to address violence and public safety through the lens of public health, recognizing that violence is a generational challenge impacted by the social determinants that shape people’s lives.

Dr. Wen on Youth Violence Prevention

"Food access is a basic human right" (Baltimore Sun) June 28, 2015

Jun 28th, 2015

When people learn that I work in the ER, they ask me about car crashes, stabbings and shootings. They are surprised when I talk about patients who are seen for the number one medical problem, the leading killer in our city: heart disease. More than 30 percent of Baltimore residents will die from cardiovascular disease, which is fueled by high blood pressure, diabetes and obesity. It's my job to advise patients to eat more fruits and vegetables. 

"Dial 311 to report businesses for selling cigs to kids" (WMAR) June 26, 2015

Jun 26th, 2015

Keeping cigarettes out of kids' hands... that’s the Baltimore City Health Department's goal, but they need your help. Residents can now report businesses who sell cigarettes to minors. Just dial 311. Health commissioner Dr. Leana Wen says it's important to educate parents and step up enforcement. If caught - businesses could face a $500 fine.

Know Your Status, Every Day!

Jun 25th, 2015

Did you know that currently over 13,000 Baltimoreans are living with HIV/AIDS? But this does not tell the full story of HIV in Baltimore. Unfortunately, it is estimated that one in seven Baltimoreans are not aware they are infected with HIV.  This means they will not be seeking life-saving HIV treatment that can help them lead a long and healthy life.  So, it’s critical to get tested and Know Your Status!

National HIV Testing Day

14 Brands of Niagara Bottled Water Recalled For Possible E. Coli Contamination

Jun 23rd, 2015

Niagara Bottling is issuing a voluntary recall of 14 brands of bottled water products due to concerns of possible E. coli contamination from the spring source.  Today’s heat index is expected to reach 105 degrees, so residents drinking bottled water should be cautious of the brands involved in the recall. “E. coli can be a very serious infection.  Given the Code Red weather today, out of an abundance of caution, we want to alert residents drinking bottled water of the voluntary recall,” said Baltimore City Health Commissioner Dr. Leana Wen.

Working a Million Hours to Heal a City (The Atlantic)

Jun 23rd, 2015

At 7 a.m. on a recent Friday, I met Leana Wen, Baltimore’s new health commissioner, in the gleaming lobby of St. Agnes hospital on the far west side of the city. Wen looked polished in a black dress, white jacket, and pearl necklace. We were there because she was scheduled to attend a meeting with a group of healthcare workers, and I was following her around for the day.

Baltimore City Health Commissioner Declares Code Red Heat Advisory For Tuesday; First Of The Season

Jun 22nd, 2015

With the heat index expected to be at 105 degrees tomorrow, Baltimore City Health Commissioner Dr. Leana Wen has issued a Code Red Heat Advisory for Tuesday, June 23.  The heat index is a measure of air temperature and relative humidity and indicates how hot it feels to individuals outside.  This is the first Code Red of the season.

"Malachi's World" (New York Times) June 18, 2015

Jun 18th, 2015

Meet Malachi, a charming toddler I met here. The first puzzle was that Malachi, at the age of 2 years and 4 months, still doesn’t speak. He says only two words: “no” and “ouch.” He doesn’t say “mom” or “dad.  As for his inability to speak, that may be because he has tested positive for lead poisoning.

Extending The Lives of Men In Baltimore City

Jun 18th, 2015

Did you know that almost twice as many men as women die of cardiovascular disease complications? Or that in general men don’t live as long as women do? High school males are more likely than females to smoke cigarettes, and of the 87.3 million Americans with pre-diabetes, almost 60 percent of them are men. Men of Baltimore, it’s time to start being more aware of your health so you can live longer and healthier lives!

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