Recent News

"#Bmorehealthyselfie Social Media Campaign Launched" (WMAR ABC2)

The Baltimore City Health Department launched a new social media campaign #BmoreHealthySelfie Tuesday…

"Mayor and Health Commissioner to Hold First of Two Community Forums For Heroin Treatment and Prevention Taskforce"

Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake and Baltimore Health Commissioner Dr. Leana Wen will be holding the first community forum for the Heroin Treatment and Prevention Taskforce. This taskforce was convened last fall by Mayor Rawlings-Blake to address the critical problem of opioid addiction. Its goal was to study the problem of heroin addiction and propose solutions for improving access to effective treatment and neighborhood compatibility.  

"Meet Dr. Leana Wen, Baltimore City’s New Health Commissioner" (Baltimore Fishbowl) March 30, 2015

Last January, Dr. Leana S. Wen took the reins from Dr. Oxiris Barbot as Baltimore City Health Commissioner.  Being responsible for the health of the entire city seems like a gargantuan charge, especially for someone barely 30. But given Wen’s accomplishments to date—she entered college at 13, studied public health and health policy as a Rhodes Scholar at the University of Oxford, served on an advisory commission to Congress regarding graduate medical education, worked as an attending physician in a busy emergency room, gave four popular TED and TEDMed talks, wrote a critically-acclaimed book When Doctor’s Don’t Listen: How to Avoid Misdiagnoses and Unnecessary Tests, to name a few—she’s probably up to the task.

"Here's how Maryland's voluntary ban on powdered alcohol works" (Baltimore Business Journal) March 26, 2015

Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot is confident his ban on powdered alcohol is “airtight” and that the new fad alcohol, which has public health experts up in arms, will never hit store shelves in Maryland. Franchot supports the bill and on Thursday joined Baltimore City Health Commissioner Dr. Leana Wen and local doctors at a press conference in Baltimore to call on lawmakers to take action.

"Powdered Alcohol Stirring Up Controversy In Md" (WJZ) March 26, 2015

No powdered alcohol in Maryland. Maryland’s comptroller, health care leaders and the alcohol industry all join forces to keep the potentially dangerous product off the market. Public health leaders are taking a stand with Maryland’s comptroller to ban the dangerous substance.

"Health concerns spur ban on powdered alcohol" (Baltimore Sun) March 26, 2015

Public health officials, Annapolis lawmakers, and the beverage and beer industry have joined to ban the sale of powdered alcohol before it even hit the market in Maryland. A coalition of public health officials and physicians convened by Dr. Leana Wen, Baltimore's health commissioner, also came out in support of a ban Thursday.

"Palcohol" (WBAL-TV) March 26, 2015

Citing the potential dangers of powdered alcohol for both youth and adults, Baltimore City Health Commissioner Dr. Leana Wen has convened a coalition of public health and physician leaders in support of banning the substance in Maryland. Nearly two dozen pediatricians, emergency medicine physicians and public health leaders across Baltimore have endorsed The Baltimore Statement on Dangers of Powdered Alcohol, which highlights the public health risks associated with powdered alcohol, known as Palcohol.

"Baltimore Health Commissioner Leads Coalition of Physicians and Public Health Advocates In Support of State Ban On Powdered Alcohol (Palcohol)"

Citing the potential dangers of powdered alcohol for both youth and adults, Baltimore City Health Commissioner Leana Wen, M.D. has convened a coalition of public health and physician leaders in support of banning the substance in Maryland. “Our efforts need to be focused on making alcoholic products less, not more, available to young people across our state,” Dr Wen said. 

"Mayor and Health Commissioner Honor Four Baltimore Adults and Eight Youths As “Baltimorphosis Changemakers” Against Youth Violence"

Today as part of National Youth Violence Prevention Week, Mayor Stephanie Rawlings Blake and Health Commissioner Leana Wen, M.D. recognized the accomplishments of 12 city residents who are “changemakers” in the community by presenting them with a 2015 Baltimorphosis Changemaker award.  

Violence Affecting Youth

Too often youth are seen as ‘the problem’ when many youth have already endured more hardships than some adults face in their lifetime.  As a city, our task is to help ensure youth’s wellbeing and their growth into successful adults. Many youth are victims of violence directly or indirectly. Nationally, youth under 25 years of age have the highest rates of homicide and violent crime victimization. For example, poor birth outcomes related to smoking, drugs, lead poisoning, witnessing domestic violence, and child abuse can affect a child’s development. In turn, they increase the likelihood of a child becoming a delinquent or adult offender.

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