Recent News

B'more for Healthy Babies Celebrates 6 Years of Success

Oct 14th, 2015

BALTIMORE, MD (October 14, 2015)–Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake and Health Commissioner Dr. Leana Wen joined elected officials, city representatives, and families from across Baltimore City today to celebrate six years of success in reducing infant mortality rates at an event honoring the B'more for Healthy Babies (BHB) initiative.

In 2009, Baltimore City had the fourth highest infant mortality rate in the nation. B'more for Healthy Babies was founded to ensure that all babies are born at a healthy weight, full-term and ready to thrive in healthy families. Since the program’s inception, Baltimore’s infant mortality rate has dropped by over 20 percent, hitting its lowest point ever recorded in 2012. Disparities between black and white infant deaths have also consistently decreased. As a result of B’More for Healthy Babies, the teen birth rates in the city have dropped by an unprecedented 32 percent.

Baltimore City Launches New Phone Line to Help Residents in Crisis and Those Seeking Substance Use and Mental Health Services

Oct 5th, 2015

BALTIMORE, MD (October 5, 2015)–Working to improve access to critically needed care, Baltimore City has launched a new, single phone number for Baltimore City residents to use for substance use and mental health crisis calls, services and treatment, and information.

The Crisis, Information & Referral Line, 410-433-5175, will be answered 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, giving people in need of help the opportunity to talk to a trained professional at any time. Creating such a resource is a key recommendation in the city’s recently released report of the Mayor’s Heroin Treatment and Prevention Task Force. 

Baltimore offers one crisis line for substance use and mental health

Oct 5th, 2015

As part of their response to the opioid crisis, Baltimore City officials have launched a new hotline number for residents for substance abuse and mental health crisis calls.

Baltimore City Health Department: October Digest 2015

Oct 1st, 2015

Baltimore City Health Department Digest - October 2015

Health Commissioner Wen Announces Plan to Make Lifesaving Medication Available to All Baltimore Residents

Sep 30th, 2015

BALTIMORE, MD (September 30, 2015)–Baltimore City Health Commissioner Dr. Leana Wen today announced plans to issue a “standing order” for naloxone, also called Narcan, a medication that completely reverses the effect of an opioid overdose. Under a change in state law that begins October 1, doctors in the state of Maryland affiliated with local health departments are now able to issue written standing orders that allow designated individuals, such as overdose response program trainees and pharmacists, to dispense naloxone without a doctor’s prescription.

With Dr. Wen’s standing order, Baltimore City will become first jurisdiction in Maryland to expand access to the opioid antidote.

Baltimore Health Commissioner Issues Overdose Prevention Plan

Sep 30th, 2015

Baltimore City Health Commissioner Leana Wen announced Wednesday that the city plans to issue a “standing order” for a medication that completely reverses the effect of an opioid overdose.

New Maryland law allows for blanket prescription for heroin overdose drug

Sep 30th, 2015

Thousands of people have been trained to use a drug that prevents heroin overdoses, but many have faced a hurdle to obtaining naloxone — a doctor's prescription.

Baltimore Health Department launches youth violence prevention program

Sep 30th, 2015

A new youth anti-violence campaign is underway in Baltimore City.

New Maryland laws go into effect Oct. 1

Sep 30th, 2015

A slew of new laws go into effect in Maryland on Oct. 1. The laws address everything from hit-and-run suspects to increasing highway speed limits.

Baltimore City Health Department Announces New Youth Violence Prevention Resource

Sep 29th, 2015

BALTIMORE, MD (September 29, 2015)– Today, the Baltimore City Health Department was joined by youth leaders from across the city to announce "Words Not Weapons,” a resource card campaign focused on communication as the key to violence prevention. This campaign will ask medical professionals, neighborhood leaders, and young people to pledge their commitment to spreading a message of non-violent conflict resolution.

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