Press Releases

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

Apr 15th, 2016

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

Apr 6th, 2016

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

Mar 29th, 2016

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

Mar 22nd, 2016

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

Mar 22nd, 2016

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

Mar 17th, 2016

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

Mar 16th, 2016

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:

Commissioner Wen Applauds Obama Administration for Awarding $94 Million in Federal Grants to Combat Opioid Abuse and Heroin Use Epidemic

Mar 11th, 2016

BALTIMORE, MD (March 11, 2016)–Today, Baltimore City Health Commissioner Dr. Leana Wen issued the following statement applauding the Obama Administration for awarding $94 million dollars in Affordable Care Act funding to 271 health centers in 45 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico to improve and expand the delivery of substance abuse services in health centers, with a specific focus on treatment of opioid use disorders in underserved populations. 

Baltimore City Health Commissioner Dr. Leana Wen Issues Statement Commending U.S. Senate on Passage of Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act of 2016

Mar 10th, 2016

BALTIMORE, MD (March 10, 2016)–Today, Baltimore City Health Commissioner Dr. Leana Wen issued the following statement commending the U.S. Senate on passing the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act of 2016 (S. 524), a bill to help tackle nation’s opioid & heroin epidemic:

Baltimore City Health Department Releases New Interactive Map Gallery

Mar 7th, 2016

BALTIMORE, MD (March 7, 2016) – The Baltimore City Health Department (BCHD) today released a new interactive web map gallery on a number health and related topics.

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