Press Releases

Aetna Foundation Awards $50,000 to Expand Enrollment in B’more Fit for Healthy Babies Program

Feb 27th, 2017

BALTIMORE, MD (February 27, 2017) — The Baltimore City Health Department (BCHD) and Family League of Baltimore (Family League) today announced that the Aetna Foundation has awarded a $50,000 grant to Family League in support of community-based fitness and nutrition programs, and trauma-informed counseling, for postpartum women and their families.

Baltimore City Health Commissioner Issues Statement in Response to Naloxone Dispensing Legislation

Feb 21st, 2017

BALTIMORE, MD (February 21, 2017) – Today, Baltimore City Health Commissioner Dr. Leana Wen issued the following statement in support of HB 791, which would make it possible for a person to receive naloxone – the opioid overdose antidote medication – under a standing order without having to complete unnecessary paperwork.

Health Commissioner Dr. Wen Declares Code Blue Alert in Baltimore Overnight Tonight Through Friday Morning

Feb 9th, 2017

BALTIMORE, MD (February 9, 2017) – With temperatures predicted to fall into the teens with wind chill, Baltimore City Health Commissioner Dr. Leana Wen today issued a Code Blue declaration for Baltimore City beginning tonight, Thursday, February 9th through the morning of Friday, February 10th.

Baltimore City Commemorates National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day

Feb 7th, 2017

BALTIMORE, MD (February 7, 2017) – In recognition of National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, the Baltimore City Health Department and partners across the city held a series of community-based testing opportunities and events mobilizing communities to get educated, get tested, and get treated.

Baltimore City Health Department Celebrates 20,000 Residents Trained in Using Lifesaving Opioid Overdose Antidote, Naloxone

Feb 3rd, 2017

BALTIMORE, MD (February 3, 2017) — Baltimore City health officials today recognized that 20,000 residents have been trained to administer naloxone—the opioid overdose reversal medication—since January 2015. Over that period of time, the medication has been used by residents to save more than 800 lives. 

Baltimore City Health Commissioner Issues Statement in Response to SNAP Pilot Program

Jan 6th, 2017

BALTIMORE, Md. (January 6, 2017)—Today, Baltimore City Health Commissioner Dr. Leana Wen issued the following statement in response to U.S. Department of Agriculture’s selection of three grocers in Maryland for a program designed to allow Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participants to purchase their groceries online.  

Health Commissioner Dr. Wen Declares Code Blue Alert in Baltimore Beginning Friday Night through the Weekend

Jan 6th, 2017

BALTIMORE, MD (January 6, 2017) — With temperatures predicted to fall into the teens with wind chill this weekend, Baltimore City Health Commissioner Dr. Leana Wen today issued a Code Blue declaration for Baltimore City beginning Friday evening, January 6th through the morning of Monday, January 9th.

Baltimore City Health Commissioner Issues Statement in Response to Increase in Overdose Deaths in Baltimore City

Dec 29th, 2016

BALTIMORE, Md. (December 29, 2016)— Today, Baltimore City Health Commissioner Dr. Leana Wen issued the following statement in response to new data showing an increase in fatal overdoses statewide. Preliminary data show that there were 481 fatal overdoses in Baltimore City from January through September 2016, compared to 286 during the same time period last year. The number of people who died from overdoses relating to fentanyl has increased from 75 to 267—an 18-fold increase since 2013.

Baltimore City Health Department Provides Update on Facebook Post Concerning Potential Food Violation

Dec 21st, 2016

BALTIMORE, MD (December 21, 2016)—On Tuesday December 20th, the Baltimore City Health Department was alerted to a Facebook post claiming to identify a skinned anim

Baltimore City Health Department Hosts Public Meeting of the Work Group on Drug Treatment Access and Neighborhood Relations

Dec 20th, 2016

BALTIMORE, Md. (December 20, 2016)—The Baltimore City Health Department (BCHD) today heard testimony from community members and national policy leaders during an open meeting of the Work Group on Drug Treatment Access and Neighborhood Relations. The session included panel discussions with hospital and university leaders as well as national and local policy experts, including Mayor Catherine E. Pugh, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use Kana Enomoto, and Deputy Director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse Dr. Wilson Compton.

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