News Coverage

"Baltimore health commissioner and physicians call for measles vaccinations" (Washington Post - February 9, 2015)

Feb 9th, 2015

Baltimore's health commissioner and a group of leading physicians Monday called on parents to vaccinate their children against the measles, warning that "the Disneyland outbreak raises the real risk that measles may come roaring back. "We have come too far to let that happen," the group said in a statement it released Monday. "...Make sure your child is up-to-date on all vaccines. This protects your child and will help safeguard all children in our community. Vaccines are more than individual choice; they are our obligation to one another."

"Baltimore has been 'lucky' to avoid measles, health commissioner says" (Baltimore Business Journal - February 9, 2015)

Feb 9th, 2015

There hasn't been a confirmed measles case in Baltimore for more than a decade and 99 percent of Baltimore public school children have gotten their shots, but Baltimore City Health Commissioner Dr. Leana Wen thinks you should be worried about vaccines. "I don't think this is overblown," Wen said. "The fact that we haven't had a measles case in Baltimore means we're lucky."

"500 new cases of HIV/AIDS every year in Baltimore" (WMAR - ABC2, February 5, 2015)

Feb 6th, 2015

It is no longer a fatal diagnosis, but HIV/AIDS is still a major problem in 2015.  "We in Baltimore City like other urban cities across the U.S., have HIV as a significant problem that is an epidemic," Dr. Leana Wen, Health Commissioner in Baltimore City, said. Click here to watch the story.

 

"Inside Story - Vaccines" ( Al Jazeera America - February 3, 2015)

Feb 4th, 2015

Health Commissioner Dr. Leana Wen was a guest on the Al Jazeera America: Inside Story show discussing the importance of vaccinations.

"Measles outbreak exposes holes in vaccine coverage" (Baltimore Sun - January 31, 2015)

Feb 1st, 2015

Measles was nearly eliminated across the country nearly 15 years ago, an immunization victory over a highly contagious respiratory virus that once injured thousands and killed hundreds every year. Dr. Leana Wen, Baltimore's new health commissioner, criticized a movement by some parents who refuse to vaccinate their children, citing concerns of possible side effects.  Read more here.

"As the toll of heroin rises in Baltimore, so does the cost of a life-saving drug" (Baltimore Business Journal - January 30, 2015)

Feb 1st, 2015

An overdose-reversing drug that is a linchpin in Baltimore's plan to combat heroin overdose deaths has more than doubled in price over the past year, causing health leaders to worry their efforts to control a public health crisis could be derailed. "There are very few diseases for which there is a complete cure that can stop death," said Dr. Leana Wen, the city's newly minted health commissioner. Read more here.

"Treatment of Overdose Will Cost Cities Less" (New York Times - January 26, 2015)

Jan 26th, 2015

The Clinton Foundation on Monday announced that it had negotiated a lower price for an emergency treatment that can prevent overdoses with a company that makes it. The soaring cost of the treatment has constrained its widespread use by municipalities across the country.

"New Baltimore Health Commissioner Leana Wen On Her Public Health Priorities" (WYPR Maryland Morning, January 26, 2015)

Jan 26th, 2015

Dr. Leana Wen is so new as Baltimore’s health commissioner that she hasn’t yet been confirmed by the City Council – that’s expected to take place this afternoon. She brings an impressive resume the public-health job: she started college at age 13, 5 years after she immigrated with her parents from Shanghai, China; she was a Rhodes Scholar at Oxford, has written a book, and taught and practice emergency-room medicine at George Washington University – all by age 31. We wanted to learn how she’ll bring that intimidating background to bear on improving Baltimore’s public health. She joins Sheilah in the studio.

"Baltimore City Health Department Investigating Possible Measles Case" (WJZ - January 24, 2015)

Jan 24th, 2015

 It’s the most deadly childhood virus, and it could be right in our area. The Baltimore City Health Department investigates a 12-month-old girl who potentially has the measles.

"Possible measles case being investigated in Baltimore" (Baltimore Sun - January 24, 2015)

Jan 24th, 2015

The Baltimore Health Department is investigating a possible measles case in a 12-month-old child — which could be the first documented case in the city in the last decade. Health officials said they were acting "out of an abundance of caution," but noted that the child might have had a reaction to a vaccine given earlier in the month.

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