Recent News

What 5 Cities Are Doing to Change the Way America Eats

Jan 15th, 2016

America’s food system is making us sick and deepening inequalities: Federal crop subsidies make junk food cheap; poor communities are often stranded in food deserts labor laws allow low wages for f

Working toward a healthy Baltimore

Jan 15th, 2016

One year ago, Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake gave me the incredible opportunity to serve our city's residents.

Warning: sugary drinks are a health threat

Jan 15th, 2016

In response to The Sun's editorial, "Curbing sugary drinks in Baltimore" (Jan.

Warning Labels Might Help Parents Buy Fewer Sugary Drinks, Study Finds

Jan 14th, 2016

Eating healthfully in America is hard. We have to contend with constant sugary and oily temptations, while pervasive ads coax us to eat these items day in and out.

Baltimore's proposed warning on sugary drinks tries new tactic

Jan 14th, 2016

A new Baltimore bill that would require health warnings on sweetened drinks hopes to signal that public health officials want to inform, rather than restrict consumer choice, and supporters say it'

Why Is Sugar Bad For You? Proposed Warning Labels For Soda Could Quell Consumption

Jan 14th, 2016

A mother pulls a bottle of soda off the shelf at the grocery store. It's nearly in the shopping cart when something catches her eye.

Baltimore City Health Department Offers Comment to CDC’s Proposed 2016 Guideline for Prescribing Opioids

Jan 13th, 2016

BALTIMORE, MD (January 13, 2016)– Baltimore City Health Department (BCHD) officials issued a letter this week providing comment to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Proposed 2016 Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Chronic Pain. This is the latest effort from BCHD to combat and ultimately end opioid use disorders abuse and overdose.

“In Baltimore City, we have declared opioid abuse a public health emergency. Though there is much that can be done on the city and state levels, we know that we cannot end the nation’s opioid epidemic without the support of and guidance from our federal partners,” said Baltimore City Health Commissioner Dr. Leana Wen. “We commend the CDC’s efforts to encourage best practices for prescribing, and applaud their continued efforts to bring greater national attention to this public health crisis.”

Health Commissioner Wen Declares Code Blue Alert for Tuesday Night

Jan 12th, 2016

BALTIMORE, MD (January 12, 2016)– With overnight temperatures predicted to fall into the teens with wind chill, Baltimore City Health Commissioner Dr. Leana Wen today issued a Code Blue declaration for Baltimore City overnight. 

“I am issuing a Code Blue Declaration tonight in Baltimore and encourage residents to stay in indoors, especially those most vulnerable to cold,” said Baltimore City Health Commissioner Dr. Leana Wen. “Extreme cold temperatures can permanently injure, or even kill. Hypothermia, or low body temperature, can be just as dangerous as extreme heat, so it is important to stay indoors in heated areas. Be sure to check on your elderly neighbors to ensure that they have heat and power tonight.”

Baltimore officials want warning signs about sugary drinks

Jan 12th, 2016

In an effort to address health concerns among children, Baltimore officials introduced legislation that would require businesses to post warning signs of sugary drinks.

Baltimore City Health Department, Councilman Mosby Announce Efforts to Educate Residents on the Health Dangers of Sugar-Sweetened Beverages

Jan 11th, 2016

BALTIMORE, MD (January 11, 2015)– In an effort to reduce childhood obesity, Baltimore City Health Commissioner Dr. Leana Wen today joined Councilman Nick Mosby to announce a City Council bill that would require warning labels for sugar-sweetened beverages in advertisements, restaurant menus, and in any city store that sells those products. 

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