Recent News

Wen: Revised Health Care Bill 'Even Worse,' (WBAL)

Jul 14th, 2017

Baltimore City Health Commissioner Dr. Leana Wen, already against Republican plans to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act, issued a statement Thursday calling Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell's new rewrite "even worse."

The bill, which faces a do-or-die vote next week, lets insurers sell skimpy policies, but attempts to mollify moderates with billions in funding to fight the opioid epidemic. However, the bill retains Medicaid cuts that moderate Republican senators have fought.

Wen called those cuts and eventual caps on future funding outlays "deep, devastating and dangerous." In Maryland, she said, 1.3 million children, adults and seniors use Medicaid for a range of services, including chronic diseases, prenatal care, prescriptions and nursing home care.

“Gutting Medicaid would force families to choose between basic needs—such as paying for food and rent—and life-saving care," Wen said.

Read the entire story. 

Public Health Heroes: From Code Red to Zika, the Emergency Preparedness and Response Team Has a Plan

Jul 14th, 2017

While most of us do not spend our days preoccupied with the details of a wide-spread disease outbreak or medical transportation services during a large winter storm, there is a small group of seven

Baltimore City Health Commissioner Condemns New Senate Healthcare Proposal

Jul 13th, 2017

Baltimore, MD (July 13, 2017) – Today, Baltimore City Health Commissioner Dr. Leana Wen issued the following statement in response to a new Senate proposal, the Better Care Reconciliation Act, which will undo the progress made by the Affordable Care Act.

Baltimore declares Code Red heat advisory for Thursday (WBAL)

Jul 13th, 2017

The Baltimore City Health Department has declared a Code Red heat advisory Thursday with a heat index around 105 degrees expected.

The National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory for noon to 8 p.m. Thursday for areas east of the Interstate 95 corridor and Maryland's Eastern Shore. A heat advisory means that a period of high temperatures is expected. Temperatures will be in the mid to upper 90s. The combination of high temperatures and high humidity could create a situation in which heat illnesses are possible.

"Heat is a silent killer and a public health threat, particularly for the young, the elderly and those in our city who are the most vulnerable," Baltimore City Health Commissioner Dr. Leana Wen said. "With (Thursday's) extreme heat expected, it is important for all residents to protect against hyperthermia and dehydration. Please be cautious and remember to stay cool and hydrated."

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Baltimore Health Commissioner: Money for opioid crisis helps, but still not enough (Baltimore Business Journal)

Jul 13th, 2017

Baltimore City Health Department received a $200,000 grant from the Open Society Institute — Baltimore to support efforts to reduce stigma around addiction and increase community outreach.

The grant comes as Gov. Larry Hogan announced Friday that Baltimore City will be allotted over $3 million in new state funding to battle the ongoing opioid crisis.

Of the $22 million in funding announced last week, the state has committed $750,000 to buy 10,000 units, or 20,000 doses, of the opioid reversal drug Naloxone, $830,429 to go to the city's Opioid Intervention Team and $2 million to support the operational costs of an upcoming stabilization center to treat individuals battling addiction and mental health issues.

But Dr. Leana Wen, Baltimore's health commissioner, said the city still needs a lot more. Baltimore City experienced one-third of all of Maryland’s more than 1,800 overdose deaths in 2016. About two people die per day in the city limits, Wen said. She says the most money and resources should continue to be dedicated to fighting the crisis "on the front lines," in the city where the most people are being affected.

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Baltimore City Health Commissioner Declares First Code Red Heat Advisory for Thursday

Jul 12th, 2017

BALTIMORE, MD (July 12, 2016) – With a heat index of up to 105 degrees expected tomorrow, Baltimore City Health Commissioner Dr. Leana Wen has issued a Code Red Heat Advisory for Thursday, July 13, 2017. The heat index is a measure of air temperature and relative humidity and indicates how hot it feels to individuals outside.

City Will Use OSI Grant For Outreach To Stop Drug Misuse (WBAL Radio)

Jul 11th, 2017

Baltimore City has received $200,000 dollars to help fight the opioid epidemic.

The grant money from the Open Society Institute will be used to bring in more people who work to educate addicts or users when there is a spike in overdoses in the city.

City health commissioner Dr. Leana Wen tells WBAL News Radio 1090 teams fan out following a spike to let addicts and users know that there may be a bad batch of heroin or other opioid causing deaths.

About one-third of overdoses in Maryland happen in Baltimore, Wen said.

She says the department works with the fire department, community organizations, police and non-profits and when any of those groups see a spike in overdoses, the outreach team can go out and talk to drug addicts and users.

Read the entire article. 

More Money, Resources Being Used To Battle Baltimore Drug Problem (WJZ)

Jul 11th, 2017

Pumping money into the battle of Baltimore’s drug problem.

More cash is pouring onto the streets in an effort to combat what’s already been a deadly summer.

Right now, the raging opioid epidemic claims two lives a day, but authorities have a new targeted approach to save drug users.

The health department is trying to hit the brakes on Baltimore’s drug problem. This time, by putting more outreach workers in neighborhoods to warn and educate.

Littered with needles; haunted by a rising body count.

“The heroin is just tearing **** apart,” said one resident.

On the corner of Ramsey and Monroe, one man leaves the health department’s needle exchange van – asking not to be shown on camera or identified – while telling WJZ’s Kimberly Eiten about his fight to stay sober.

“I’ve been in and out of the systems, to rehabs and rehabs,” he said.

He says it worked, but the opioid epidemic rages on around him.

The south Baltimore intersection is just one in the city seeing a spike in overdoses.

Claiming 700 lives last year, and still killing, on average, two people a day this year.

“Baltimore City is at the epicenter of the epidemic,” said Baltimore Health Commissioner Dr. Leana Wen.

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Baltimore City Health Department receives grant to fight opioid epidemic (WMAR)

Jul 11th, 2017

In the midst of the increasing opioid epidemic, Monday the Baltimore City Health Department (BCHD) announced a $200,000 grant from the Open Society Institute - Baltimore (OSI). 

"Baltimore City is thankful for OSI's contribution that will support the health and well-being of our city," said Mayor Catherine Pugh in a statement. "We all have a role to play in protecting our community from the devastation and trauma caused by addiction and overdose."

The grant will be used to serve drug addicts and community engagement surrounding racial equity and drug policy, as well as funding rapid outreach for overdoses. According to recent statistics, Baltimore City suffered nearly 700 fatal overdoses in 2016. 

"As the opioid epidemic continues to plague our city, state and country, the resources have not kept pace with the need," said Baltimore City Health Commissioner Dr. Leana Wen. "We are extremely grateful that OSI, our long-time partner in the fight against the opioid epidemic, has provided vital funding during this time of a public health crisis."

Read the entire article.

Baltimore gets $200,000 to fight overdoses (WYPR)

Jul 11th, 2017

The Baltimore City Health Department is getting a new $200,000 grant from the Open Society Institute – Baltimore to aid in the fight against opioid overdoses, city Health Commissioner Leana Wen announced Monday. The money is slated to pay for real-time alerts about overdose spikes and new community engagement efforts.

Through the new program, the health department gets an alert from public safety and hospital officials. Outreach teams then go to areas with large numbers of overdoses to educate the community about the Fentanyl that may be mixed in with Heroin, and about how to use Narcan — the brand name for the drug Naloxone — to stop an overdose.

Wen said one of the biggest challenges her agency faces is the stigma attached to treating opioid addiction.

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