Press Releases

Baltimore City Health Commissioner Supports White House Opioid Commission’s Recommendations

BALTIMORE, MD (August 1, 2017) –Baltimore City Health Commissioner Dr. Leana Wen today issued the following statement in response to recommendations included in the President’s Commission on Combating Drug Addiction and the Opioid Crisis draft interim report.

Baltimore City Health Department Launches Billion Step Challenge

BALTIMORE, MD (July 29, 2017)—Mayor Catherine E. Pugh and The Baltimore City Health Department (BCHD) are launching the yearlong Billion Step Challenge, a citywide wellness challenge to encourage all residents and employees in Baltimore City to get active. The initiative, as part of BCHD’s strategic blueprint Health Baltimore 2020, will include partnerships with other city agencies, corporate entities and community organizations to host events that will promote physical activity. Healthy Baltimore 2020 outlines key priorities and objectives through which BCHD aims to reduce health disparities in Baltimore by half over the next 10 years.

AARP Foundation Grant to Support Food Access for Low-Income Senior Residents in Baltimore City

Funding supports easy food delivery options and cooking classes

BALTIMORE (July 27, 2017) — The Baltimore City Health Department, American Heart Association and No Boundaries Coalition have joined forces to provide healthy food access for low-income Baltimore City seniors thanks to a $750,000 grant from AARP Foundation.

Baltimore City Health Department Hosts Healthy Baltimore 2020 Community Conversation on HIV, STD, and Clinical Services

BALTIMORE, MD (July 25, 2017)—The Baltimore City Health Department (BCHD) today hosted the latest Healthy Baltimore 2020 Community Conversation, a town hall meeting offering residents the opportunity to provide public comment on Healthy Baltimore 2020—BCHD’s recently released strategic blueprint for health and wellness through the lens of health equity.

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

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

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.

Baltimore City Health Commissioner Condemns New Senate Healthcare Proposal

Baltimore, MD (July 13, 2017) – Today, Baltimore City Health Commissioner Dr. Leana Wen issued the following statement in response to a new Senate proposal, the Better Care Reconciliation Act, which will undo the progress made by the Affordable Care Act.

Baltimore City Health Commissioner Declares First Code Red Heat Advisory for Thursday

BALTIMORE, MD (July 12, 2016) – With a heat index of up to 105 degrees expected tomorrow, Baltimore City Health Commissioner Dr. Leana Wen has issued a Code Red Heat Advisory for Thursday, July 13, 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 Receives New Private Funding for Opioid Crisis

BALTIMORE, MD (July 10, 2017)—Baltimore City Health Department today announced that it received a new grant from the Open Society Institute—Baltimore (OSI) to support efforts to reduce stigma around addiction and save lives from overdose. The grant, which totals $200,000, will be used to fund rapid outreach in response to spikes in reported overdoses and community engagement around racial equity and drug policy.

Baltimore City Health Commissioner Deeply Concerned About Health of Vulnerable Populations Affected by Senate Health Care Proposal

BALTIMORE, MD (June 22, 2017)—Baltimore City Health Commissioner Dr. Leana Wen issued the following statement in response to the Senate’s bill to replace the Affordable Care Act released today.

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