May

April

4/11/2012State Health Department Warns Consumers on “Baczol” Anti-Flu Product

The Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DHMH) today issued an alert regarding the use of an unapproved medicine called Baczol, which contains an antibiotic that would ordinarily require a prescription and is ineffective against some of the conditions for which it is commonly purchased. This unapproved medicine, which is produced outside the United States, has been found in a number of convenience stores that serve Latino communities and is marketed specifically for pediatric populations under the names Baczol, Pediatric Baczol, or Baczol Antigripal. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has issued an import alert for this medication (Import Alert # 66-41, 2/7/2011). [Press Release (PDF)] [Flyer (PDF)] [Flyer in Spanish (PDF)]

March

3/28/2012Assistant Commissioner Francine Childs Named Runner-Up For 2012 Richard A. Lidinsky, Sr. Award for Excellence in Public Service

Today, Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake presented Mr. Donald Heinbuch with the Richard A. Lidinsky, Sr. Award for Excellence in Public Service at a ceremony in City Hall. Heinbuch, now retired, joined the Baltimore Fire Department at the age of 19 in 1970. The Health Department's Francine Childs was one of two runners-up. [Press Release (PDF)]

3/27/2012Bar Association's Annual Law Day for Seniors Set for April 21st

The Bar Association of Baltimore City is holding its 21st Annual Law Day for Seniors on Saturday, April 21, 2012, at the Edward F. Borgerding District Court Building, 5800 Wabash Avenue, from 8:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. The purpose of Law Day 2012 is to educate seniors, their families, and caregivers about available community resources and legal issues affecting the elderly. Admission to Law Day is free to Baltimore City senior citizens, their families, and caregivers. For more information, see the flyer (PDF).

3/19/2012Mayor Rawlings-Blake Kicks Off Youth Violence Prevention Week

Greater Mondawmin Coordinating Council selected to be next community organization to implement the Safe Streets Baltimore initiative.

Today, Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake was joined by community, religious and city leaders to kick off Youth Violence Prevention Week, and urged Baltimore residents to help “Build Peace Block By Block”. Youth Violence Prevention Week—held March 19-25, 2012—is a national public education initiative featuring activities and events to spotlight the issue of youth violence, identify strategies to combat this epidemic, and promote the positive role youth may have in making their communities and schools safer. [Press Release (PDF)] [Calendar of Events (PDF)] [Baltimore's Youth Violence Prevention Week Webpage]

3/05/2012Baltimore City Targets Food Deserts

According to new research, 1 in 5 people in Baltimore live in a food desert (approximately 125,000 people) and nearly 1 in 4 of Baltimore’s school-aged children (ages 0–17, approximately 31,000 children, or 23 percent of Baltimore’s population). A partnership between the Johns Hopkins Center for a Livable Future, the Health Department and Baltimore City’s Office of Sustainability has resulted in a more comprehensive food desert definition and the release of the new 2012 Baltimore City Food Environment Map. [View/Print Food Environment Map (PDF)] [Methodology (PDF)] [Interactive Food Environment Map (PDF)] [CLF Website] [Baltimore Sun news story]

February

2/15/2012Join Us For "Testing Makes Us Stronger" HIV Awareness Kickoff Event

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Baltimore City Health Department are uniting to celebrate the Baltimore launch of Testing Makes Us Stronger, a public health initiative that encourages black gay and bisexual men to get tested for HIV. Using compelling messaging and iconic, diverse images of black gay and bisexual men, the campaign highlights the power and importance of knowing your HIV status. Click here to view the event invitation.

2/15/2012Youth Violence Prevention Week Poster Contest Announced

Youth Violence Prevention Week is March 19-25, 2012. Activities and events will be held in Baltimore and nationwide to identify strategies to combat this epidemic and to promote the positive role youth have in making their communities and schools safer. In an effort to promote alternatives to violence, the Health Department is sponsoring a poster contest for youth. The deadline for entries is March 9, 2012. For more details on prizes and how to enter, click here or visit our Office of Youth Violence Prevention page. [Full Calendar of Events (PDF)].

2/14/2012The Importance of Taking Your Medicine As Prescribed

The Script Your Future campaign helps people manage health problems such as diabetes, COPD, asthma, high blood pressure or high cholesterol. Understanding your condition and taking your medicine correctly are important steps toward a longer, healthier life. In this video, Commissioner of Health Dr. Oxiris Barbot discusses the importance of following your doctor's orders and taking your medicine as prescribed.

2/10/2012Health Alert - Code Blue Activated For Saturday, Sunday

Because anticipated low temperatures are a potential danger to health, Baltimore City Health Commissioner Dr. Oxiris Barbot is declaring a Code Blue cold weather alert for Saturday, Feb. 11, and Sunday, Feb. 12, 2012. As a result of the Code Blue declaration, emergency shelters will keep extended hours. Emergency workers will conduct outreach for vulnerable residents. [Press Release] [Hypothermia Prevention Flyer (PDF)] [Hypothermia Prevention Flyer (Spanish) (PDF)]

2/7/2012National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day Testing Activities Scheduled

National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day is Tueday, Feb. 7. In Baltimore, 85% of all new HIV diagnoses are African Americans. The Health Department will offer free HIV testing at two events: outside Lexington Market in the white van from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., and outside Mondawmin Mall in conjuntion with Total HealthCare from 2:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Free T-shirts will be given to all who get tested. [Event Flyer (PDF)]

2/1/2012Mayor Rawlings-Blake Launches Get Fresh Lexington

Today, Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake was joined by business and community leaders to announce details of Baltimore City’s new Get Fresh Lexington initiative, a comprehensive new strategy aimed at increasing the availability of healthy food options at Baltimore’s landmark public market. Get Fresh Lexington includes plans to increase the number of carry-out food establishments that sell healthier choices, improve access to local produce, and increase consumer demand for healthier dining options. [Press Release (PDF)] [Baltimore Food Policy Initiative Webpage)]

2/1/2012Mayor Rawlings-Blake Announces February as American Heart Month

Today, Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake was joined by officials from the Baltimore City Health Department, the American Heart Association (Mid-Atlantic Affiliate), and St. Agnes Hospital to challenge city residents to improve their health at events taking place during American Heart Month. Heart disease is the numberone killer of women in Baltimore City and the leading cause of death overall. Heart disease is a key contributor to the life expectancy gap that persists among city neighborhoods. [Press Release (PDF)] [Health Commissioner's blog post (PDF)]

January

1/26/2012Annual Centarians Recognition Luncheon Scheduled

The Maryland Centenarians committee, Inc. cordially invites all Maryland citizens 100 years of age and older, and persons who will be age 100 by December 31, 2012, to attend the 20th Annual Maryland Centenarians Recognition Luncheon, Thursday, May 10, 2012, 11:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. at Martin’s West. The deadline to register is March 30th. For further information, please contact Dr. Odessa Dorkins at 410-664-0911. [Event Flyer (PDF)]

1/11/2012Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake Announces Expansion of Program Credited With Reducing Gun Violence in City Neighborhoods

Today, Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake announced the expansion of the successful Safe Streets Baltimore initiative. A Request for Proposals (RFP) was approved this morning by the Board of Estimates. The expansion of Safe Streets Baltimore is supported by the release today of a new study by researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health demonstrating the program’s effectiveness. [Press Release (PDF)] [Read the Evaluation (PDF)] [Safe Streets Overview (PDF)][Safe Streets Baltimore Webpage] [Healthy Baltimore 2015]