Recent News

"Baltimore City Health Commissioner Leana Wen" (Kojo Namdi Show) July 30, 2015

Jul 30th, 2015

Dr. Leana Wen, Baltimore’s new health commissioner, has been compared to a “lit firecracker.” A Harvard-trained emergency physician who started college at 13, Wen’s dynamic career has taken her from inner-city clinics to the halls of academia. Not afraid to ruffle feathers within the medical community, Wen now turns her attention to the public health challenges in one of the country’s poorest cities — from heroin and prescription drug abuse to the endemic health problems wracking poor neighborhoods. Kojo sits down with Wen to talk about her first months on the job, how she’s prioritizing public health needs, and how her personal story instructs her vision for health policy and progress in Baltimore.

Over Twenty Animals Perish in Local Fire

Jul 29th, 2015

Last night, BCHD’s Office of Animal Control was called to Morrell Park to respond to the scene of a fire in which a number of animals were believed to have died. Twelve Himalayan adult cats, 11 kittens and two dogs were confirmed dead on the scene.

Baltimore Awarded Federal Funds to Combat Substance Abuse

Jul 29th, 2015

Baltimore city will receive federal funds for up to three years to treat substance abuse from a new grant awarded by the Department of Health and Human Services.

"Baltimore to use federal grant for ER heroin response" (Baltimore Business Journal) July 29, 2015

Jul 29th, 2015

Baltimore City Health Commissioner Dr. Leana Wen wants the city’s emergency departments to play a bigger role in addressing residents’ heroin and substance abuse problems. Along with local emergency department leaders, the city’s health department is developing a program that would better connect patients with counselors, specialists and treatment for substance abuse. The project will be backed by Baltimore’s share of a $815,000 federal grant awarded to the state health department for medication-supported substance abuse programs.

BCHD Encourages Everyone to Get Vaccinated, Screened on World Hepatitis Day

Jul 28th, 2015

BALTIMORE, MD (July 28, 2015) – As today marks “World Hepatitis Day,” Baltimore City Health Commissioner Dr. Leana Wen encourages residents to get vaccinated for hepatitis B (HBV) and screened for hepatitis C (HCV).

"City, coalition win $8.5 million grant to improve sex education in schools" (Baltimore Sun)

Jul 27th, 2015

The Baltimore City Health Department and the U Choose Coalition were awarded a $8.5 million federal grant the groups will use to improve sex education in schools with the hopes of reducing the teen birth rate in African American and Hispanic girls by 30 percent.

"Baltimore Announces $8.5 Million Dollar HHS Grant to Implement Reproductive Health Education Program in Middle and High Schools"

Jul 24th, 2015

The Baltimore City Health Department and the U Choose Coalition have been awarded a $8.5 million grant with a goal of decreasing the city’s teen birth rate for African American and Hispanic girls by 30 percent.  The grant, from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, is for $1.7 million dollars per year for five years.

"Baltimore's war On Heroin" (Al Jazeera - America Tonight) July 14, 2015

Jul 24th, 2015

In a city often considered the country's heroin capital, Baltimore officials are floating plans to open 24-hour emergency addiction clinics and increase addiction services for prisoners and people in recovery. But the city is running into major financial obstacles that include the skyrocketing price of naloxone - sold as Narcan - a drug that can save the life of a person overdosing from heroin. In this excerpt from America Tonight, Adam May speaks with a recovering addict trying to get naloxone into more hands and city Health Commissioner Dr. Leana Wen, who wants everyone in the city to know how to use it.

The Year 2015 Means Anniversaries for Medicare, Medicaid, Older Americans Act & Social Security

Jul 23rd, 2015

On July 30, 1965, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed into law transformative legislation that would change the future for millions of Americans, establishing the Medicare and Medicaid programs.  While Medicare and Medicaid started as basic insurance programs for Americans who didn’t have health insurance, the programs have changed over the years to provide more and more Americans with access to the quality and affordable healthcare they need. 

Medicare Medicaid Celebration Flyer

"New strategies to combat the surge in heroin deaths" (Maryland Public Television), July 17, 2015

Jul 22nd, 2015

Health Commissioner Dr. Leana Wen spoke with MPT's State Circle about new strategies to combat the surge in heroin deaths.

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