In public health, it is our duty to protect the most vulnerable populations, from babies to seniors.

As an expecting mothe, I know that prenatal care is essential to a baby’s good health. This week, BCHD hosted a celebration for 11 graduates from the Nursing Family Partnership, a program that supports first-time expecting parents by pairing them with nurses who provide important resources and encouragement. Programs like NFP support women with essential education and empower mothers to build healthy families.

To support a healthy workforce, on Monday, BCHD launched the new Workplace Wellness designations, which were created to promote best health practices in Baltimore. Employee health is not just about medical costs; a healthy workforce makes a more productive workforce. We were proud to award Gold, Silver, and Bronze designations to some of our outstanding local businesses that invest in their business’s most important assets: its employees and our city’s residents. 

Older adults in Baltimore City face extraordinary challenges, especially as it relates to their safety. On Tuesday, I spoke at CHANA’s event, SAFEguarding Our Seniors: Stand with CHANA in the Fight Against Elder Abuse in Baltimore. One in ten Americans over the age of 60 has experienced some form of elder abuse, which means that elder abuse is happening in our community, every day, all around us. It is crucial that we work together to respond to this public health concern by looking for warning signs and speaking up to prevent our seniors from being abused.

Finally, we must speak up for challenges that threaten the health and well-being of people across the age spectrum. Dental care is seen as a cosmetic choice and personal responsibility rather than a serious medical issue. I discussed the necessity of treating the whole person—including the mouth and mind—with Tom Ashbrook on NPR’s On Point. I also wrote in The New York Times from the perspective of a trauma doctor on what guns do to people and violence as a public health issue. 

Thank you for working every day to promote health, wellness, and safety across Baltimore.

Sincerely,

Leana S. Wen, M.D., M.Sc.

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