Press Releases

Baltimore City Announces Citywide Preparedness Plan for Zika Virus

BALTIMORE, MD (April 26, 2016) – Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake and Health Commissioner Dr. Leana Wen today joined City leaders to announce Baltimore City’s Zika Preparedness Plan to educate the public about the Zika virus and coordinate a citywide response to help prevent the spread of the virus. Baltimore’s Citywide Zika Plan will be the first in Maryland, and aims to serve as a model for other cities.

Baltimore City Health Commissioner Issues Statement Following Maine Governor’s Veto for Naloxone Expansion

BALTIMORE, MD (April, 21, 2016) – Baltimore City Health Commissioner Dr. Leana Wen today issued the following statement in response to Maine Governor Paul LePage’s decision to veto L.D. 1547, a bill that would allow pharmacists to dispense naloxone without a prescription to individuals at risk of experiencing an opioid-related drug overdose:

Baltimore City Health Commissioner Highlights Health Programs as Catalyst for Social Change during W. Montague Cobb Lecture in Health Policy

WASHINGTON, D.C. (April 20, 2016) – Baltimore City Health Commissioner Dr. Leana Wen today joined students, faculty, and community members at the Howard University College of Medicine for the fourth annual Dr. W. Montague Cobb Lectureship in Health Policy.

The lecture honors Dr. W. Montague Cobb, a 1929 graduate of the Howard University College of Medicine who was the first African American to earn a Ph.D in anthropology and a pioneering civil rights leader who championed the elimination of racial barriers to health care. During today’s lecture, Dr. Wen spoke about the vital role public health can play in combating systemic health disparities:

Baltimore City Health Commissioner Urges Expanded Access to Opioid Overdose Antidote Naloxone at Congressional Briefing

BALTIMORE, MD (April 15, 2016) – Baltimore City Health Commissioner Dr. Leana Wen today joined Congressional leaders and experts for a briefing hosted by the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO), to educate members and staff about efforts being implemented in Baltimore to combat the opioid abuse epidemic and urging Congress to introduce policies that will expand access to naloxone, a medication that completely reverses the effect of an opioid overdose.

Baltimore City Health Department Hosts U.S. Surgeon General to Highlight Innovative Efforts to Combat Opioid Epidemic

BALTIMORE, MD (April 5, 2016) – Baltimore City Health Department officials today welcomed U.S. Surgeon General, Dr. Vivek H. Murthy, to Baltimore as he kicked off a public engagement tour to facilitate a nationwide discussion on the prescription drug crisis in America.

Baltimore Health Commissioner Dr. Leana Wen Joins President Obama To Discuss Ending Nation’s Opioid Abuse Epidemic

ATLANTA, GA (March 29, 2016)– Baltimore City Health Commissioner Dr. Leana Wen joined President Barack Obama Tuesday for a panel discussion before thousands of thought leaders at the National Rx Drug Abuse & Heroin Summit to discuss the innovative efforts being implemented in Baltimore to address the opioid abuse epidemic. The panel, moderated by CNN Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta, also featured two individuals in long-term recovery: Justin Luke Riley and Crystal Oertle.

Commissioner Wen Issues Statement Commending FDA’s New Warning for Immediate-Release Opioid Painkillers

BALTIMORE, MD (March 22, 2016)– Baltimore City Health Commissioner Dr. Leana Wen today commended the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s FDA’S newly announced enhanced warnings for immediate-release opioid medications to help inform prescribers and patients of the risks related to opioid use and help combat the national  epidemic:

Baltimore Health Commissioner Dr. Leana Wen Testifies before House Oversight Committee on Baltimore’s Efforts to End Opioid Epidemic

BALTIMORE, MD (March 22, 2016) – Baltimore City Health Commissioner Dr. Leana Wen testified Tuesday before the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee educating members about the innovative efforts being implemented in Baltimore address the opioid abuse epidemic and urging Congress to introduce policies that will improve community-based efforts to end this public health emergency.

Baltimore City Launches Safe Streets Expansion in Sandtown-Winchester

BALTIMORE, MD (March 17, 2016)– Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, Health Commissioner Dr. Leana Wen, and executive director of Catholic Charities, Bill McCarthy today joined with members of the community to mark the official opening of the newest Safe Streets Baltimore location that is bringing the program credited with reducing gun violence to the Sandtown-Winchester neighborhood. 

Baltimore City Health Commissioner Dr. Leana Wen Commends New CDC Opioid Prescribing Guidelines, Calls for Additional Action Amid Epidemic

BALTIMORE, MD (March 16, 2016)– Baltimore City Health Commissioner Dr. Leana Wen today commended the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) recently announced 2016 Guidelines for Prescribing Opioids for Chronic Pain and called on the agency to provide additional guidance:

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