Chronic Disease Prevention

The City of Baltimore is burdened by asthma. According to the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene,  12.4 % of Baltimore City adults currently have asthma, compared to 8.4% statewide and 8.6 % nationally.  

The BCCHEC is a diverse group of public health professionals and representatives of non-profits, community-based, faith-based, academic, federally qualified health centers, and hospitals that come together on a quarterly basis to address cancer and associated health disparities.

Odds are you know at least one person with diabetes and the chances that you know one of the 86 million Americans with prediabetes is even greater. The thing is, only 9 million of the 86 million people with prediabets know they have it.  15% to 30% of those people with prediabetes will develop type 2 diabetes within 5 years. Type 2 diabetes can be prevented if caught in the stage of prediabtes. By developing and  maintaining  healthy lifestyle changes prediabets can be reversed. 

Baltimore City Health Department has several initiatives to reduce the prevalence of cardiovascular disease (CVD), stroke, and diabetes among Baltimore City minority residents through increased access to health information, cardiovascular screening, and referrals to care.

The Baltimore City Health Department’s (BCHD) Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program works to reduce lead poisoning in the City of Baltimore through primary prevention, lead testing, home visits and case management, advocacy, and aggressive enforcement of the city’s lead laws.

Food Access

As reported by the United States Department of Agriculture, consumer choices about food spending and diet are likely to be influenced by the accessibility and affordability of food retailers—travel time to shopping, availability of healthy foods, and food prices.  Some people and places, especially those with low income, may face greater barriers in accessing healthy and affordable food retailers, which may negatively affect diet and food security.

Baltimore City Health Department’s mission is to serve Baltimore by promoting health and advocating for every individual’s well-being to achieve health equity for all residents.  One way this is accomplished is through Baltimarket.

The Baltimore City Health Department provides smoking cessation services, community education, school-based projects, and enforcement of retailer compliance with tobacco control ordinances.