Recent News

2018 March for Science Focused on Public Health Advocacy (Medscape)

Apr 17th, 2018

At the second annual March for Science, speakers here called for political action using science to inform some of the most pressing public health issues of the day, including the opioid crisis, gun violence, and ongoing funding of research for medical cures. 

Baltimore Health Commissioner Leana S. Wen, MD, gave an impassioned speech calling for more money toward the purchase of naloxone to treat more people who are addicted to opioids. Soon after becoming health commissioner in January 2015, Wen issued a blanket prescription for naloxone to all of Baltimore's residents. That program has saved more than 1700 lives, but there's still not enough of the medication to meet the need.

Read the entire story.

Leana Wenopioidsnaloxone

Maryland Rep. Elijah Cummings, Sen. Elizabeth Warren plan sweeping legislation to combat opioid crisis (Baltimore Sun)

Apr 17th, 2018

With drug overdose deaths ravaging communities across the country, Rep. Elijah Cummings of Baltimore and Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts are planning to introduce legislation Wednesday that would require $10 billion a year in federal funding to combat the opioid crisis. 

Cummings said he and Warren got the idea to fund a massive public health campaign against opioids from Baltimore Health Commissioner Dr. Leana Wen and her staff, who pitched the lawmakers on the need for increased funding.

Read the entire story.

Leana Wenopioids

Dr. Wen Issues Statement About Life-Threatening Bleeding After Using Synthetic Cannabinoids

Apr 17th, 2018

BALTIMORE, MD (APRIL 17, 2018) - Today, Baltimore City Health Commissioner, Dr. Leana Wen, issued the following statement about life-threatening bleeding after using synthetic cannabinoids:

"We want to warn all of our residents of the warning signs of someone who..." 

Plan to curb older adults from falling announced in city (AP)

Apr 16th, 2018

Baltimore officials say a plan to curb hospitalizations and emergency department visits related to older adults falling has been announced. 

A Baltimore City Health Department news release says Mayor Catherine E. Pugh and Baltimore City Health Commissioner Dr. Leana Wen announced the new strategy Monday.

Read the entire story.

Leana Wen

Baltimore launches campaign to stop the elderly from falling (Baltimore Sun)

Apr 16th, 2018

Far more people end up in the hospital with injuries from falling in Baltimore than in the rest of the state, leading city officials to launch a campaign Monday to curb the rate of falling among the elderly.

“Falls are a growing public health concern, especially for older adults,” said Baltimore Health Commissioner Dr. Leana Wen.

Read the entire story.

Leana Wen

Baltimore City Officials Announce Citywide Falls Prevention Strategy for Older Adults

Apr 16th, 2018

BALTIMORE, MD (April 16, 2018) — Today, Mayor Catherine E. Pugh and Baltimore City Health Commissioner Dr. Leana Wen announced a new Citywide falls prevention strategy aimed at reducing falls-related emergency department (ED) visits and hospitalizations for older adults in Baltimore City.

Leana Wen

Baltimore Officials Look To Reduce Accidental Falls, Costs (WJZ)

Apr 15th, 2018

Officials in Baltimore are hoping to find ways to reduce number of people injured in accidental falls, and the resulting health costs as well. 

A citywide initiative to be announced Monday is focused on prevention of falls, especially among older residents.

Read the entire story.

March for Science 2018: Passionate advocates push the cause for research across the globe (USA Today)

Apr 14th, 2018

Thousands on the National Mall on Saturday marched past the Environmental Protection Agency and to the U.S. Capitol to advocate for science to play a larger role in society — and stressed how research already ripples through a slew of issues from guns to immigration.

Leana Wen, commissioner of health in Baltimore City, spoke to the crowd about the realities of the opioid epidemic in her urban center today. Society needs to change how it views addiction, she stressed, adding "science shows us addiction is a disease, not a moral failing." 

Read the entire story.

Leana Wenopioids

Bmore Healthy Newsletter: April 13, 2018

Apr 13th, 2018

Click here to read the 4/13/18 newsletter.

In this issue:

  • Note From The Commissioner
  • Dr. Wen Participates in Panel Discussion with Senator Mikulski at Johns Hopkins Undergraduate Public Health Conference
  • Dr. Wen Speaks at Beyond Flexner Conference
  • and more

Subscribe to the Bmore Healthy Newsletter.

Note From The Commissioner: Legislation on the Right Side of History

Apr 13th, 2018

Monday was the final day of the Maryland General Assembly. We are excited about several priority bills the legislature passed, including efforts to ensure affordable access to healthcare, to reduce gun violence, and to advance maternal and child health. Our team at the Baltimore City Health Department provided testimony on no less than 27 bills, including the Maryland Health Care Access Act of 2018 (HB1782/SB387); Pharmacist Gag Rule Bill (HB736/SB576); Maryland Prenatal and Infant Care Coordination Services Grant Program Fund (Thrive by Three Fund) (HB1685/SB912); and the Maryland Violence Intervention and Prevention Program Fund Bill (HB432/SB0545). We are grateful to our representatives in Annapolis for recognizing the need to fight for health coverage for all Marylanders, and for standing on the right side of history.

Subscribe to the Bmore Healthy newsletter.

Pages