Recent News

The Home Base of Health (U.S. News & World Report)

Sep 7th, 2018

Substandard housing conditions have been linked to higher rates of infectious disease, chronic illnesses and injuries, but millions of low-income Americans have little choice about where they live.

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Asthma

Breastfeeding: get over it (The Daily Campus)

Sep 7th, 2018

There has been a long standing stigma surrounding the topic of breastfeeding in public. People, most often men, have found this to be too tantalizing, sexual and overall distracting for them to go about their daily lives. Breastfeeding is a natural occurrence. It is a mother feeding her baby breakfast, lunch or dinner. Most people wouldn’t respond well if they were approached when eating and told that the way they were eating was too sexual or distracting and that they should eat somewhere “more private.” This is just a fraction of the nonsense people put breastfeeding mothers through.

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Leana Wen

How Can It Be National Wellness Month When There is an Opioid Crisis? (The Afro)

Sep 6th, 2018

In their op-ed, Kevin Daniels and Anthony Estreet focus on the gravity of the opioid epidemic and the need for more action.

"According to Dr. Leana Wen, Baltimore City Health Commissioner, Even with interventions in place, we have not even seen where the peak of the epidemic is going to be and there appears to be no end in sight – we don’t know how much worse the problem is going to get.” We are clearly in a state of emergency."

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Leana Wenopioids

Drug users will be given free needles in Merced under new program (Merced Sun-Star)

Sep 5th, 2018

A program in Merced will soon provide clean needles to drug users in an attempt to reduce the transfer of diseases, according to doctors.

Needle-exchange programs have shown some success. When Baltimore’s program launched more than 20 years ago, 63 percent of those with HIV were IV drug users. By 2014, the only 7 percent were IV drug users, contributing to one of the nation’s largest drops in new HIV cases, according to the Baltimore Sun.

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opioids

Health Commissioner Declares Code Red Extreme Heat Alert through Thursday

Sep 4th, 2018

BALTIMORE, MD (September 4, 2018) – With continued high temperatures in the Baltimore region and a heat index expected to reach 105 degrees Fahrenheit Wednesday and Thursday, Baltimore City Health Commissioner Dr. Leana Wen has extended the previously announced Code Red Extreme Heat Alert through Thursday, September 6.

Code Red Extreme Heat Alert Issued Through Thursday (WJZ)

Sep 4th, 2018

Baltimore is under an extreme heat alert through Thursday as temperatures are expected to feel in the 100's. 

Commissioner Dr. Leana Wen declared the Code Red after reports of a heat index of 105 degrees on Wednesday and Thursday.

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Leana WenCode Red

Heat To Close Many Baltimore Schools Early On First Day (Patch)

Sep 4th, 2018

Schools that do not have air-conditioning in Baltimore City will dimiss three hours early on Tuesday, Sept. 4. Officials made the announcement on Monday, Sept. 3, the day before school was to start.

More than 50 schools will be closing three hours early because city school officials say they lack sufficient air-conditioning.

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Leana WenCode Red

Baltimore health officials declare 'code red' for Labor Day (WJZ)

Sep 4th, 2018

Baltimore health officials are declaring a "code red" heat advisory for Labor Day and Tuesday, with temperatures in the 90s and high humidity forecast.

The National Weather Service is forecasting highs in the mid-90s, with uncomfortable levels of humidity making it feel like 100 degrees.

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Leana WenCode Red

Health Commissioner Declares Code Red Extreme Heat Alert For Tuesday (WBAL Radio)

Sep 4th, 2018

A Code Red Extreme Heat Alert has been issued for Tuesday with the heat index expected to rise above 100.

The heat index combined both air temperature and relative humidity. The National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory and it will be in effect from noon to 7 p.m. Tuesday.

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Leana WenCode Red

Code red extreme heat alert issued through Thursday (WBAL)

Sep 4th, 2018

A code red extreme heat alert has been issued for Monday through Thursday as temperatures are expected to exceed 100 degrees Fahrenheit, officials said.

"As Baltimore continues to experience very high temperatures this week, all residents should take precautions to protect against hyperthermia and dehydration," Baltimore City Health Commissioner Dr. Leana Wen said. "Heat is a silent killer and a public health threat, particularly for the young, the elderly and those with chronic medical conditions. I urge everyone stay cool, stay hydrated, and stay in touch with your neighbors, especially seniors and medically frail individuals who live alone."

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Leana WenCode Red

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