Recent News

Dangerous heat expected for Artscape weekend (WMAR-TV)

Jul 20th, 2017

With a heat index expected of between 101 and 104 degrees expected beginning tomorrow through the weekend, Baltimore City Health Commissioner Dr. Leana Wen has issued a Code Red Heat Advisory for Thursday, July 20, 2017 through Sunday, July 23, 2017. The heat index is a measure of air temperature and relative humidity and indicates how hot it feels to individuals outside.

"Heat is a silent killer and a public health threat, particularly for the young, the elderly and those in our city who are the most vulnerable," Dr. Wen said. "As Baltimore prepares for a fun weekend with one of the nation's largest free arts festivals, it is important for all residents to protect against hyperthermia and dehydration. Please be cautious and remember to stay cool and hydrated."

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Code Red Heat Advisory Issued For Baltimore For Artscape Weekend (WJZ-TV)

Jul 20th, 2017

Baltimore City Health Commissioner Dr. Leana Wen has issued a code red heat advisory for Artscape weekend.

The heat advisory is for Thursday, July 20, through Sunday, July 23, as the heat index is expected to be between 101 and 104 degrees

“Heat is a silent killer and a public health threat, particularly for the young, the elderly and those in our city who are the most vulnerable,” Dr. Wen said in a release. “As Baltimore prepares for a fun weekend with one of the nation’s largest free arts festivals, it is important for all residents to protect against hyperthermia and dehydration. Please be cautious and remember to stay cool and hydrated.”

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Heat Advisory In Effect, Code Red Heat Advisory For The Weekend (WBAL Radio)

Jul 20th, 2017

Baltimore City health officials issued a Code Red heat advisory through Artscape weekend.

The heat and high humidity will make it feel like it is 105.

WBAL meteorologist Ava Marie says the extreme heat will remain through Monday.

“Heat is a silent killer and a public health threat, particularly for the young, the elderly and those in our city who are the most vulnerable,” health commissioner Dr. Leana Wen said in a statement. “As Baltimore prepares for a fun weekend with one of the nation’s largest free arts festivals, it is important for all residents to protect against hyperthermia and dehydration. Please be cautious and remember to stay cool and hydrated.”

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Baltimore health department gets $150,000 grant to expand healthy local stores program (Baltimore Sun)

Jul 20th, 2017

The Baltimore City Health Department has received a $150,000 grant to work with the owners of local “corner stores” to stock and sell healthy foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole grain foods and low-fat milk.

The two-year grant from the Maryland Community Health Resources Commission will be used to add 40 stores to the Baltimarket Healthy Stores Program, which now has 17 retailers participating. The health department will also hire 40 young people to serve as nutrition educators and supply the stores with advertising materials to promote the program. The program was started in 2014 with the goal of providing healthy food options to those living in so-called food deserts, or places with few traditional grocery stores.

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Statewide Grant Brings Healthier Options To Baltimore Food Deserts (CBS)

Jul 20th, 2017

BALTIMORE (WJZ)–  The Baltimore City Health Department announced a $150,000 state grant to expand the “Baltimarket” program, making it easier for corner stores to carry healthy foods.

The new funds will provide credits, advertising and training to 40 more corner stores throughout the City to carry fresh fruits and vegetables.

This will bridge the gap for one in four Baltimoreans who live without easy access to healthy food.

“Baltimarket offers an innovative and effective way to increase access to fresh and healthy foods,” said Surina Ann Jordan with Maryland Community Health Resources.

“How can our patients eat well when they live in areas of food deserts? Where they have to go and take two buses or walk 25 blocks in order to get healthy fruits and vegetables,” said City health commissioner Dr. Leana Wen.

The inventory goes hand-and-hand with education; teaching customers that they can sub out unhealthy foods in their diet. The lessons come from hired youth ambassadors like high school senior Eva Wise.

“Some people were really surprised. They’re like, ‘wow, oh my gosh! They were like I need to change, I need to change,'” Wise said.

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Summer heat can be tough for those working outdoors (Fox 45)

Jul 20th, 2017

Summer heat can be tough for those working outdoors

BALTIMORE (WBFF) -The summer sizzle has set into Baltimore, and for people who must work outdoors, the conditions can be tough. According to the Baltimore City Health Department there are 115 licensed food trucks. Brian Youse is the chef insid the ‘Crossroads Bistro’, which was parked Monday outside Baltimore City Hall.

“We have had it get up to 110 [degrees] in here," he explains. “We have two fans up top. They help a little bit, and just keep the back window for a little bit of a breeze."

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Letter in Support for Teen Pregnancy Prevention Funding

Jul 20th, 2017

TO:                Senator Chris Van Hollen
FROM:          Dr. Leana Wen, Baltimore City Health Commissioner
RE:                Support for Adolescent Health Education

Dear Senator Van Hollen:

On July 6, 2017, the Baltimore City Health Department (BCHD) received notice from the Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Adolescent Health (OAH) that the grant period for the U Choose evidence-based program would be shortened by two years, which will reduce the overall funding for this program by $3.5M over two years. This change will result in reduced access to evidence-based teen pregnancy curricula for thousands of students in Baltimore, creating a vacuum of critical health education for thousands of vulnerable teens.

Baltimore City Health Commissioner Declares Code Red Heat Advisory for Artscape Weekend

Jul 19th, 2017

BALTIMORE, MD (July 19, 2017) – With a heat index of between 101 and 104 degrees expected beginning tomorrow through the weekend, Baltimore City Health Commissioner Dr. Leana Wen has issued a Code Red Heat Advisory for Thursday, July 20, 2017 through Sunday, July 23, 2017. The heat index is a measure of air temperature and relative humidity and indicates how hot it feels to individuals outside.

Baltimore City Health Department Announces New Funding to Improve Healthy Food Access

Jul 19th, 2017

BALTIMORE, MD (July 18, 2017)— The Baltimore City Health Department (BCHD) has received a two year, $150,000 grant from the Maryland Community Health Resources Commission (CHRC) to support the department’s Baltimarket Healthy Stores Program. The funding will be used to grow the program by 40 corner stores over a two year period and to hire 40 young people as nutrition educators. Stores will receive advertising materials for healthy foods and trainings about how to select and store healthy foods.

Despite Trump promises, White House falling short in opioid fight (CBS News)

Jul 17th, 2017

BALTIMORE -- As Republicans in Congress and the Trump White House continue to craft a health care bill 30 miles to the south, two people overdose on opioids and die every day in Maryland's largest city.

On a street corner in west Baltimore, the extent of the opioid epidemic that has ravaged large swaths of the country was in stark relief Wednesday against the backdrop of a brick wall emblazoned with the words "No Shoot Zone" in spray paint.

In 95-degree heat, men and women of all ages -- black and white -- filed one by one into a white van and dumped out bundles of used needles. Workers with the Baltimore City Health Department handed out brown paper bags containing clean syringes, cookers, filters and rubber bands in exchange. Those who came to turn in their old equipment were users of heroin, fentanyl and carfentanil, a toxic synthetic opioid.

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