Recent News

Baltimore rolls out new incentives, information-sharing program in bid to combat opioid crisis (Fierce Healthcare)

Apr 30th, 2018

Baltimore hospitals will have new incentives for better addressing the opioid crisis—and sharing best practices with their counterparts across the city—under a new initiative announced by the city's top officials Monday. 

Read the entire story.

Leana Wenopioids

Baltimore launches Levels of Care initiative at 11 hospitals (WBAL)

Apr 30th, 2018

The city of Baltimore rolled out a new initiative in the city's 11 hospitals Monday morning for responding to the opioid epidemic.

"There can be no question that this is an emergency and public health crisis," said Baltimore City Health Commissioner Dr. Leana Wen.

Watch the video.

Leana Wenopioids

Teen Pregnancy Prevention suit against HHS is a huge win for Baltimore City (The Hill)

Apr 30th, 2018

In her op-ed, Dr. Wen explains the importance of Baltimore City's victory in the lawsuit against HHS: 

This ruling is ultimately about our children and their children. I hope that the value of science and evidence will continue to be recognized and I look forward to continuing to fulfill our responsibility of protecting the health and ensuring the well-being of our youth.

Read the entire op-ed.

Leana Wen

Baltimore Hospitals Pledge More Resources For Opioid Users (WJZ)

Apr 30th, 2018

Whether it’s night or day, opioid overdoses in Baltimore are an around-the-clock epidemic. Especially when fentanyl is mixed in; a drug 50 to 100 times more powerful than heroin.

According to Baltimore Health Commissioner Dr. Leana Wen, “Since 2013, we’ve gone from 12 fentanyl deaths in one year to 500.”

Watch the video here. 

Leana Wenopioids

Baltimore City Officials Announce Initiative with Hospitals to Improve Treatment for Opioid Use Disorders

Apr 30th, 2018

Levels of Care Proposal Open for Public Comment

BALTIMORE (April 30, 2018) — Today, Mayor Catherine E. Pugh and Baltimore City Health Commissioner Dr. Leana Wen joined the leadership of all 11 Baltimore City hospitals to announce a new initiative focused on implementing and recognizing best practices for responding to the opioid epidemic within the City’s hospitals.

Leana Wenopioids

City to certify hospitals that adopt best practices for treating opioid addiction (Baltimore Fishbowl)

Apr 30th, 2018

In a new initiative being launched with 11 Baltimore hospitals, the City Health Department plans to certify each one that adopts “best practices” for treating patients who overdose on opioids or are struggling with addiction. 

Read the entire story.

Leana Wenopioids

New Baltimore initiative hopes to more closely involve hospitals in fight against opioid epidemic (Baltimore Sun)

Apr 29th, 2018

Baltimore officials will announce an initiative on Monday meant to give the city’s 11 hospitals incentive to play a bigger role in ending the opioid epidemic.

Read the entire story.

Leana Wenopioids

Baltimore City Officials Urge Residents to Safely Dispose of Unused Prescription Drugs

Apr 27th, 2018

BALTIMORE, MD (APRIL 27) - On Saturday, April 28, Baltimore City officials will recognize National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, a nationwide initiative to highlight safe, convenient, and responsible means of disposing of prescription drugs in communities, while raising awareness about prescription drug addiction.

Leana Wen

Federal judge rules against Trump Administration over termination of HHS grant (WEAA)

Apr 27th, 2018

By issuing this ruling, Judge Blake vacated HHS’s decision to prematurely terminate Baltimore’s five-year Teen Pregnancy Prevention Grant, and ordered HHS to process Baltimore’s application for continued funding under the grant.  Baltimore City Health Commissioner Dr. Leana Wen talked with WEAA’s Julius White about the ruling.

Listen here.

 

Leana Wen

Note From The Commissioner: A Victory for Baltimore Youth and Science

Apr 27th, 2018

On Wednesday night, Judge Catherine Blake of the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland ruled in Baltimore City’s favor in our Teen Pregnancy Prevention suit against the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Judge Blake granted the City’s motion for summary judgment, ruling that the federal government’s decision-making was arbitrary and capricious.

This victory is a victory for the youth of Baltimore City, and for the use of science and evidence in education and health. It means that students in our City will continue to receive evidence-based, science-based teen pregnancy prevention education. It means that we will continue to be able to build capacity for teachers who are specifically trained to teach physiology, STD and HIV prevention, and holistic curricula to empower teens to make the best choices for themselves. It means that we will be able to continue our work in reducing teen birth rates, which fell 61% in Baltimore between 2000 and 2016—and that we will not roll back the gains that we have made.

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