Recent News

Health Commissioner Says State Report Reinforces Need For Aggressive Response To Combat Overdose Deaths In Baltimore

A new report detailing drug and alcohol-related intoxication deaths in Maryland reinforces the need for Baltimore to take measures, many of which are newly underway, to aggressively prevent overdose deaths in the city. The report, released today by the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, shows a 23 percent increase in drug and alcohol overdose deaths in Baltimore City.  “More people are dying from overdoses than from homicides in our city,” said Baltimore City Health Commissioner Dr. Leana Wen. “It’s a public health crisis to have people dying from a preventable illness.”

Shuttle Service to Wal-Mart and Supermarkets

The Baltimore City Health Department announces a revised schedule for the free shuttle service from 10 residential buildings in areas impacted by the recent civil unrest to a WalMart and supermarkets, ensuring that residents have access to food and other daily necessities. The shuttle service will operate Monday – Friday during the month of May, with pickups at 930 am & 1:30 pm. The shuttle schedule can be found below.

"Baltimore Health Commissioner: 'Public Health Is Tied To Everything'" (NPR) May 15, 2015

NPR's Audie Cornish talks with Baltimore City Health Commissioner Leana Wen about the public health needs of the city's residents and the steps she wants to take to meet those needs.

Let’s Talk About How To B’more Asthma Aware

May is Asthma Awareness Month – so let’s talk about asthma.   While a cure for asthma has not yet been found, it can be controlled! Asthma is a chronic disease that causes the airways in your lungs to narrow, make more mucus than usual, and swell, which makes it harder to breathe.  If you know someone with asthma, you know that sometimes they cough, wheeze, and are short of breath.

Asthma Awareness Month

"Baltimore infant mortality program lauded" (Baltimore Sun) May 13, 2015

A Baltimore program to reduce the city's infant mortality rate was lauded in a new report by the Pew Charitable Trusts as a model that can be used to save babies' lives throughout the country. Since the B'more for Healthy Babies program launched in 2009, the city's infant mortality rate has dropped 24 percent.

"100 days in Baltimore" (Baltimore Sun) May 10, 2015

Since becoming the city's health commissioner in January, I've embarked on a 100-day listening tour. What I have seen and heard gives me great hope for the future of BaltimoreI see a city that is innovative and isn't afraid to take bold action.

"CVS Health to Rebuild Stores Burned in Baltimore Riots" (NBCNews.com) May 6, 2015

Pharmacy giant CVS Health announced Wednesday it will rebuild two store locations badly burned during protests in Baltimore last week in response to the death of Freddie Gray. Baltimore City Health Commissioner Leana Wen welcomed the news, saying "hundreds, if not thousands" of residents had been affected by the closures of the CVSes and other neighboring pharmacies.

"Unrest In West Baltimore Puts Elderly And Sick At Additional Risk" (NPR Morning Edition) May 7, 2015

It's been more than a week since rioting over Freddie Gray's death closed many businesses. Several pharmacies are still not open — leaving the sick and elderly with chronic conditions vulnerable.

"Unrest in Baltimore: The Role of Public Health" (JAMA) May 7, 2015

Baltimore's unrest has captured the nation's attention, but while the immediate crisis that was visible on the streets is over, the public health work on Baltimore’s recovery and healing continues. There is also renewed attention to underlying health disparities and inequalities, including the contribution of the heroin epidemic and substance addiction. Baltimore City Health Commissioner Dr. Leana Wen co-authored an editorial in the May 7th issue of JAMA, "Unrest in Baltimore: The Role of Public Health."

“The Other Stories from Baltimore’s Unrest”

Over the last week, Baltimore’s unrest has captured the nation’s attention. Images of burning cars, the sounds of angry protesters and peace rallies have dominated the airwaves and headlines. As the city’s health commissioner, I heard other stories. I spoke with a 62-year-old woman who had a heart attack a year ago and who had stopped taking her blood pressure and blood-thinning medications. Her pharmacy was one of the dozen that burned down, and neither she nor the other people in her senior housing building could figure out where to get their prescriptions filled. 

Baltimore Health Commissioner Dr. Leana Wen

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