Note from Commissioner Dear Community Partner, Like so many, I was shocked and appalled by the horrific tragedy in Orlando that killed 49 and wounded more than 53 this past week. My thoughts, prayers, sympathies, and condolences are with the families and friends of those lost to this deplorable display of senseless violence, as well as with the LGBTQ community that is reeling from yet another act of cowardice and malice. While we do not know for certain if this attack was guided by a particular hatred or by a general ignorance, we can be sure that, in this moment, our communities stand united in solidarity and in anger. Because here at BCHD, our LGBTQ brothers and sisters are exactly that: family. Just last month, I joined dozens of leaders from the Health Department and from communities across our city to celebrate the launch of Project Presence, a BCHD led movement that aims to defy stigma, embrace individuality, and promote an inclusive city. That night, full of beautiful stories of vulnerability, courage and strength, was amplified by a pledge we made to one another to build empathy through shared conversation and collective action, and to take a stance against stigma by empowering our LGBTQ community.Today, in the face on this unspeakable atrocity, lets us remember that we are here for one another, that we promote an agency —and a city — that welcomes diversity, and that we should recommit ourselves defying stigma and inviting unity. In times when there are those that attempt to define us by hatred and fear, we must come together in love and hope. Today is that day. As always, thank you for your continued support in ensuring the health of our city’s residents, and working with us to promote a healthier, more inclusive, and more equitable city. With all my best, Leana Wen, M.D. M.Sc. Agency News Dr. Wen Discusses Opioid Epidemic at Clinton Global Initiative America On Tuesday, Dr. Wen joined President Bill Clinton, President Jimmy Carter, CEOs, government officials, philanthropists, Nobel laureates, NGO executives, and community leaders for a panel discussion at the sixth annual Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) America meeting. During the panel titled “Communities in Crisis: The Cost of the Opioid Epidemic,” Dr. Wen spoke with Director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, Michael Botticelli, Director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse, Dr. Nora Volkow, and other experts to discuss the national opioid epidemic and shared Baltimore’s innovative approach to combating the public health crisis. “In Baltimore, more people die from overdose than from homicide,” Dr. Wen said. Following her appointment in January 2015, Dr. Wen declared opioid overdose a public health emergency and has implemented one of the country's most aggressive platforms to prevent overdose, expand access to treatment, and improve education to patients and providers. “Preventing overdose deaths are one of our top public health priorities,” Dr. Wen added. “This is one of the ways we can save hundreds of lives every year.” READ THE FULL STORY. |
Second Annual Black and White Affair Tomorrow Tomorrow, Saturday, June 18th, the Baltimore City Health Department in partnership with the Baltimore Ballroom Coalition will host its second annual Black and White Affair at the Reginald F. Lewis Museum. The event offers free admission, free food, and free testing as a part of the Health Department’s ongoing initiative to expand access to HIV and STI testing. The night will be hosted by DJ Angel Baby from 92 Q and will feature prizes for best dresses male, female, and couple, with other door prizes and surprises throughout the night. Last year, the event launched the Baltimore Status Update campaign, which has been working to end HIV/AIDS and other STIs in Baltimore through prevention, testing, and education. This event is just one of the ways that the Health Department is working to connect with the LGBTQ community and prevent the spread and transmission of HIV and STIs. |
Dr. Wen Speaks About Being an Accountable Physician and Health Commissioner Being an “accountable” physician is a difficult term to define. It implies a willingness to extend health beyond the immediate clinical situation by also focusing on patient wellness. Patients hear so much about preventative medicine in doctor’s office posters reminding them to wash their hands, trifold brochures about exercise, and handouts expounding the benefits of a good diet, but these are often not the focus of clinical practice, which tends to be curative rather than holistic. Last Thursday, Dr. Wen leant her voice to the Council of Accountable Physician Practices (CAPP) Better Together 2016 series, titled “Patient Expectations and the Accountability Gap.” In a town hall-style meeting, Dr. Wen joined federal officials, physicians, patient advocates, policy experts, and public health leaders to discuss patient-centered care and shared how Baltimore promotes accountability, coordination, and physician leadership to create positive health outcomes and improve patient experiences. READ THE FULL STORY HERE. |
BCHD Efforts Highlighted at World Bank Youth Forum On Wednesday, Dr. Wen was a keynote speaker at the World Bank Youth Forum 2016, highlighting the ways that Baltimore is working to improve health and development by combatting poverty, violence, and inequality. Dr. Wen joined a coalition of NGOs, CSOs, World Bank and government officials, and young people to discuss ways for the World Bank and other agencies to work to build sustained peace and development. The World Bank Youth Forum gathers partners and representatives from both the public and private sectors to openly discuss the major challenges facing young people today. The event was a part of a World Bank-led Global Partnership for Youth and Development to learn new ways to support the transition of young people to adulthood and engage young people in international efforts to achieve sustainable economic development. Dr. Wen discussed how the issues we face in Baltimore everyday are similar to those in communities across the country and across the world. In Baltimore, we have found success in reducing crime, drugs, and violence through a public health approach of addressing the upstream causes of problems and going to where the people are. Data shows that up to 90 percent of health is determined outside of the hospital by social determinants like education and jobs. READ THE FULL STORY |
BCHD Hosts Annual Food Justice Forum as Virtual Supermarket Program Expands to Two New Sites This past Saturday, BCHD’s 3rd Food Justice Forum brought together community members, activists, farmers, organizers, non-profits, and government agencies to discuss ways to improve access to healthy, affordable foods across Baltimore. The annual forum, hosted by the Baltimore Food Justice Committee and the BCHD Baltimarket program, highlights ongoing efforts to tackle food injustice and the systemic inequities that affect the diets —and health—of Baltimoreans. We were also proud to recently launch our two newest Virtual Supermarket Program sites, expanding to the Curtis Bay and Hanover Square neighborhoods. In total, BCHD now operates nine virtual supermarkets where Baltimore residents in food deserts can organize grocery deliveries with no additional fees. Through this expansion, neighborhood food advocates will be available to assist residents with online ordering, providing healthier and more cost-effective food options across the city. A full listing of Virtual Supermarket Program sites can be found at www.baltimarket.org. To learn more about food access in Baltimore, visit http://health.baltimorecity.gov/programs/food-access, or contact BCHD’s Baltimarket and Food Access Coordinator Laura Flamm at laura.flamm@baltimorecity.gov. Learn more about the Food Justice Forum and new Virtual Supermarket sites. |
Nurse-Family Partnership Congratulates Its Newest Graduates Yesterday, Dr. Wen and Deputy Commissioner Olivia Farrow attended the Nurse-Family Partnership (NFP) graduation to celebrate clients and their children who have completed approximately two and a half years of nurse home visiting—pregnancy to toddlerhood. The Nurse-Family Partnership home visiting program is implemented by the the Baltimore City Health Department and community-based organizations and a to help first-time parents succeed in navigating the first few years of parenthood by helping to improve health and childcare practices. From encouraging women to engage in good health practices, to improving child health and development by helping first time parents provide responsible care for their child, NFP works across Baltimore to ensure that our youngest residents thrive. We congratulate the program’s newest graduates and wish them the very best as they continue to develop a stronger vision for their futures. To learn more about NFP and other home visiting programs in Baltimore City, visit the home visiting section of our website. |
Dr. Wen Speaks at JHSPH Executive Education Program Commencement Dr. Wen was honored this week to speak at the commencement for the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health’s “Leading Transformation for Value-based Health Care” Executive Education Program to discuss the role city public health departments can play in improving health of populations in conjunction with a healthcare system. The program’s graduates include physicians, nurses, and administrators with established careers who wanted to learn more about value-based care. With the passage of the Affordable Care Act, health system success will increasingly depend on moving away from the current fragmented fee-for-service acute care model to one based on integrated accountability. After taking part in this curriculum, its graduates have been equipped to impact the healthcare field in the areas of economics and finance, leadership, healthcare IT, global budgets, population health, Accountable Care Organizations, risk management, and negotiation. |
