Recent News

“Public health aims to protect the individual and community” (WRVO - NPR "Take Care"), February 22, 2015

"Public health" is a phrase that can be heard seemingly nonstop whenever there is a health scare or disease outbreak. The current measles outbreak is an example of this -- a public health issue that makes headlines for days, weeks or months at a time. This week on “Take Care,” Baltimore City Health Commissioner Dr. Leana Wen discusses that public health is actually an everyday affair -- one that needs to receive more attention -- to better prevent and resolve such outbreaks. 

Health Commissioner Extends Code Blue in Baltimore Through Wednesday Morning

With dangerously cold weather expected to continue for several more days, the Code Blue alert has been extended through 10 a.m. Wednesday, February 25.

"Mayor Rawlings-Blake, Health Commissioner Issue Update Regarding Ongoing Code Blue Alert"

With temperatures expected to fall below zero tonight and wind chills descending into the negative teens for the next two nights, Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake is urging all city residents to take precautions to avoid serious health and safety consequences through the weekend. 

"Meet Baltimore's New 'Top Doc'" (WMAR - ABC2), February 19, 2015

Baltimore City Health Commissioner Dr. Leana Wen hit the ground running in her new position. WMAR reporter Kelly Swoope sat down for a one on one interview with Dr. Wen.

“I Am My Brother’s and Sister’s Keeper: Fight HIV/AIDS”

Make no mistake about it – Baltimore has been hit hard by the HIV epidemic. Baltimore City has the sixth highest rate of new HIV diagnoses in the country and one of the country’s highest HIV death rates. And although the number of newly reported HIV infections in Baltimore between 2009 and 2011 decreased overall by more than 24 percent, new infections diagnosed in the black community have increased by 1.5 percent.

Total Health Care Fight HIV/AIDS

Program Changes On Tuesday - Inclement Weather

Due to the inclement weather on Tuesday:

  • Medical Assistance Transportation services for Baltimore City will be operating for dialysis, chemotherapy, and radiation transports only.  For more information call 410-396-7007 or to reschedule call 410-396-6422.
  • The Needle Exchange Program will be  working from the vans outside of the office at 2300 Garrison Blvd and not traveling to Tuesday mobile sites. Clients can call 410-396-3731 with questions.
  • City WIC clinics will be opening at 10:30 a.m.  Call 410-396-9427 with any questions.

"Health Commissioner Extends Code Blue In Baltimore Through Friday"

Baltimore City Health Commissioner Leana Wen, M.D. has extended the Code Blue Alert through Friday, February 20.  This is the seventh Code Blue alert for Baltimore this winter.

"Baltimore City announces Code Blue Emergency through Monday" (WMAR-ABC2 - February 13, 2015)

A Code Blue was declared for Baltimore City and is effect through Monday. So far this winter, six people have died from the cold weather sweeping the state.  The biggest concern in the dangerous temperatures is hypothermia, so the health department says if you need to be outside at all, make sure you cover up.

"Cold Weather Is Here, Code Blue In Effect" (WJZ-TV - February 13, 2015)

Bundle up, Baltimore! Cold temperatures have arrived, but it could get worse. Baltimore City officials have also declared a Code Blue through Monday, Feb. 16 due to low temperatures in the teens and wind chills below zero. “Our advice on keeping warm in cold weather may seem like common sense, but with six hypothermia-related deaths this season, it is vitally important to remember that cold can kill,”said Dr. Leana Wen, Baltimore City Health Commissioner. “All Baltimoreans need to look out for friends and family members and ensure they have warm shelter. Remember that carbon monoxide is a silent killer – do not use unapproved sources of heating."

Vaccines are Safe, Effective and Life-Saving (Baltimore Sun Op-Ed)

"In the 1930s, outbreaks swept through every corner of Baltimore. Tens of thousands of children grew sick with fever and a tale-tell rash..."

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