Recent News

What happens to learning when students get much-needed glasses (PBS Newshour)

Good vision care is a luxury for families who can’t easily afford the time or money spent getting a child’s first pair of glasses. But a new program called Vision for Baltimore called provides eye exams and two pairs of glasses to every student who needs them, totally free of charge -- a simple thing that can dramatically improve the quality of their education.

Watch the full video here.

Leana WenVision for Baltimore

Public Health Heroes: BCHD’s innovative approach to HIV prevention and linkage to treatment

Baltimore has a long history of being hit hard by the HIV epidemic. Baltimore City Health Department (BCHD) has had an active HIV prevention outreach program since 2004, including HIV testing in communities at risk of HIV, ensuring those who are HIV positive are in medical care (referred to as linkage to care),  and educating the community on behavior change, such as abstinence and condom use.

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Note From The Commissioner: Remembering Our Colleague

This week, the Baltimore City Health Department mourns the loss of our dear colleague, friend, and dedicated public servant, Phyllis Burnett.

There is so much I can say about her career of exceptional service in public health. Phyllis served as a CDC Public Health Advisor for 35 years. She has been with the Health Department for 15 years, where she developed and supervised the Community Outreach Program and Partner Service Program. Her outstanding work here has been featured nationally, in numerous conferences and presentations.

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CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, Mayor Pugh announce new efforts combating opioid, substance use (ABC 2)

CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield in partnership with Mayor Catherine Pugh's office announced new efforts to combat the opioid crisis in the Baltimore area. The efforts include $1.5 million in funding for non-profit community organizations for programs aimed at addressing substance use disorders, as well as new prescribing limits and treatment programs to limit opioid abuse and improve care for members battling addiction."The Baltimore City Health Department has developed a comprehensive, three-pillar strategy to combat opioid addiction: prevent deaths from overdose and save lives, increase access to on-demand treatment and long-term recovery support, and provide education to reduce stigma and prevent addiction.”

Read the entire story.

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Health Commissioner Dr. Wen Declares Code Blue Alert in Baltimore Beginning Tuesday night into Wednesday

With overnight temperatures predicted to fall into the 20s with wind chill temperatures in the teens, Baltimore City Health Commissioner Dr. Leana Wen today issued a Code Blue declaration for Baltimore City beginning Tuesday, December 12 through the morning of Wednesday, December 13

Keep Your Baby Safe this Holiday Season

This holiday season, city health officials are asking for your help to keep Baltimore’s babies safe. After declining every year since 2009, sleep-related infant deaths are on the rise.

Note From The Commissioner: Safe Sleep Campaign

Senator Barbara Mikulski likes to say that one should “Do what you’re best at, and what you’re needed for.” I was honored to be selected as one of Governing’s 2017 Public Officials of the Year and to be among a group of public servants who exemplify that sentiment. Other awardees included Governor Terry McAuliffe (Virginia), Mayor Greg Stanton (Phoenix, Arizona), and Sheriff Tom Dart (Cook County, Illinois). I am so proud to serve alongside the men and women of the Baltimore City Health Department to protect the most vulnerable and to deliver health – a human right – to all.

Public health’s primary duty is to help people where they are and to regard every person with dignity and humanity. Every day, I am inspired and filled with gratitude for my incredible colleagues who carry out these duties and “do what we’re best at and what we’re needed for.”

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Baltimore Health Officials Encourage Parents to Follow the ABC’s to Prevent Sleep Infant Deaths

BALTIMORE, MD (December 4, 2017) – Baltimore health officials and B’more for Healthy Babies partner organizations today urged families to follow safe sleep practices in response to a spike in the number of sleep related infant deaths.

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Baltimore sees spike in sleep-related infant deaths (Baltimore Sun)

Baltimore health officials are urging parents with infants to practice safe sleep practices after recording a spike in sleep-related infant deaths in the city. Twelve babies have died in their sleep so far this year, compared with seven last year. The new deaths prompted City Health Commissioner Dr. Leana Wen and others to act on Monday.

Read the entire story.

B'more for Healthy Babie

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