Recent News

“World Breastfeeding Week” Calls for Greater Workplace Accommodations

Aug 4th, 2015

As part of “World Breastfeeding Week,” the Baltimore City Health Department’s Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Program is hosting several events this week to highlight the benefits of breastfeeding. Included are a Breastfeeding Friendly Workplace Award Ceremony—recognition to local businesses that make special accommodations for breastfeeding employees—and the “Fifth Annual Grand Baby Shower” for pregnant and breastfeeding moms enrolled in the WIC program.

"Response, recover and rebuilding Baltimore" (Baltimore Sun Op-Ed) August 2, 2015

Aug 2nd, 2015

There have been many accounts of the city's response on April 27th and the days following. In this last of my six-column series, I'd like to share the story of the Baltimore City Health Department's immediate response and ongoing recovery efforts.

"Baltimore Health Department Helps Affected Citizens After Riots" (Psychiatric News) July 31,2015

Jul 31st, 2015

In July, Baltimore City health officials and others continued their response to the physical and mental health needs of people affected by the riots and arson following the death in police custody of Freddie Gray. Their work began in the midst of the unrest on the night of April 27, when the Baltimore City Health Department developed a security plan and an operational list of local hospitals, Commissioner Leana Wen, M.D., M.Sc., told Psychiatric 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.

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