Baltimore City Celebrates Substance Abuse Recovery Month

Recovery Month is a nationwide celebration of people in long-term recovery from substance abuse disorders and their families. Local treatment advocates have planned several events throughout the month of September to celebrate the efforts of these individuals:

• September 4: 4:15pm Kick-Off Press Conference at Gaudenzie Weinberg Treatment Center (3643 Woodland Avenue).
• September 17: Local treatment agencies will celebrate the valuable work of their providers on citywide Recovery Staff Appreciation Day.
• September 27: Baltimore residents will show their support for substance abuse treatment in the 2nd Annual Recovery Walk and Rally, from Park Heights to Druid Park.

[Press Release] [Recovery Month Calendar of Events]

Emergency Calls Down Among Frequent Ambulance Callers

Baltimore HealthCare Access, Inc., The Baltimore City Fire Department, and the Baltimore City Health Department released a report of the pilot program “Operation Care,” which assists vulnerable city residents who make multiple calls for ambulance transports. The report finds that Operation Care led to improvements in access to healthcare and declines in 911 calls. [Press Release] [Operation Care: Report of the Pilot Program through August 1, 2008]

Health Department Proposes City Regulation: Influenza Vaccine Reporting Requirement for Healthcare Workers

The Baltimore City Health Department is proposing a regulation to require hospitals, long-term care facilities, and physicians’ offices to report rates of influenza vaccination of healthcare workers.

Please send comments, in writing, to Baltimore City Health Department, Attn: Dr. Laura Herrera, 210 Guilford Avenue, 3rd Floor, Baltimore, MD 21202. Public comment will be received through 5:00 PM September 24, 2008. [Press Release] [Proposed Regulation on Reporting of Influenza Vaccination Rates] [Legal Memorandum]

Statement on Food and Drug Administration Announcement on Over-the-Counter Cough and Cold Medications for Children

Dr. Joshua M. Sharfstein, Commissioner of Health, released the following statement in response to FDA's announcement of a new rulemaking on over-the-counter cough and cold medications for young children:

“The FDA's announcement today is a significant step towards removing unproven and unsafe over-the-counter cough and cold medications for young children from the market. By re-opening the relevant regulation, FDA will hold these products to a modern scientific standard of safety and effectiveness. It is clear that these products cannot meet such a standard today. FDA should move swiftly through this process to protect children.”

“Leading professional organizations, including the American Academy of Pediatrics and the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners, advise against use of cough-and-cold medications for young children. Manufacturers should respect these professional authorities, recognize the significance of FDA's action today, and voluntarily stop marketing these products to parents of young children as safe, effective, and ‘pediatrician recommended.’”

“As the cold season approaches, parents should save their money and talk to their doctors and nurses about how to make their children comfortable with a cough or cold.”

[Press Release] [FDA's Announcement] [Health Department Original Research on Over-the-Counter Cough and Cold Medications Published Since the October 2007 FDA Advisory Statement] [Cough and Cold Webpage]

Testing Reveals Item of Children’s Jewelry with Excess Lead

The Baltimore City Health Department has issued a violation notice to a business prohibiting the sale of a children’s jewelry product that was identified with a lead level in metal components above 600 parts per million. This same business was issued a violation notice earlier this year in June for selling a similar ring with Dora Explorer, which contained 50,600 parts per million of lead. The Consumer Product Safety Commission has been alerted. [Press Release] [Jewelry Webpage]

Baltimore Convenes Salt Task Force

As part of Baltimore City’s effort to confront the health disparities caused by cardiovascular disease, the Health Department is creating a seven-member task force comprised of industry representatives, community leaders, and academic experts to review and make recommendations to address excessive salt consumption in the city. [Press Release] [Baltimore City Salt Task Force]

Mayor Dixon Announces Safe Streets Expansion

Mayor Sheila Dixon and Baltimore City Health Commissioner Dr. Joshua Sharfstein were joined by advocates, donors, and city employees to announce the plan to expand the community anti-violence program Safe Streets. The planned expansion is funded by private and public money, and will allow the program to operate through June 30, 2009. [Press Release] [Safe Streets Webpage]

City Agencies Promote Health and Conservation… One Step at a Time

Director of Public Works David Scott and Health Commissioner Joshua M. Sharfstein launched a campaign today to urge city residents to take the stairs when possible, saving calories and electricity. [Press Release] [Click here to download the sign]

Health Department Urges Residents to Protect Themselves Against West Nile Virus

July 28, 2008. The Baltimore City Health Department is urging city residents to protect themselves against West Nile Virus, a virus borne by infected mosquitoes that flares up in the summer and continues into the fall. About one in 150 infected people will develop severe illness. Severe symptoms can include high fever, headache, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness, vision loss, numbness and paralysis. These symptoms may last several weeks, and neurological effects may be permanent. [Press Release]

Health Department Releases Quarterly Overdose Report

The Baltimore City Health Department is releasing a report on the number and type of drug overdoses in the first quarter of 2008. The report is based on autopsy reports by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner of the State of Maryland. The report finds that 43 city residents died of intoxication to drugs of abuse or alcohol in the first quarter of 2008. [Press Release] [Intoxication Deaths Associated with Drugs of Abuse or Alcohol, Quarterly Report: First Quarter, 2008]

Health Department Releases Data Fact Sheet on Obesity

The Health Department’s Office of Epidemiology and Planning is releasing a data fact sheet on obesity in Baltimore. The goal of fact sheets is to present available data and information on these topics in a manner that is accessible to the public, policymakers, and students. [Press Release] [Data Fact Sheet on Obesity]

Health Department Releases Public Comments on Proposed Cigar Regulation

The Baltimore City Health Department is making available the public comments submitted in response to a proposed regulation on cheap, single cigars. [Press Release] [Public Comments]

New Study Finds Hunger in Baltimore: City and State Public and Private Agencies Launch New Effort to Connect Families to Food Resources

University of Maryland researchers are reporting that nearly one in 8 low-income families in Baltimore with young children suffer from food insecurity. The findings have led to a new interagency effort to connect needy families to food resources. [Press Release] [HungryinBaltimore.org] [Food Security: Ensuring the Health of Baltimore's Babies]

Testing Reveals Items of Children’s Jewelry with Excess Lead

The Baltimore City Health Department has issued violation notices to two businesses prohibiting the sale of a children’s jewelry product that were identified with lead levels in metal components above 600 parts per million. The Consumer Product Safety Commission has been alerted. [Press Release] [Lead in Children's Jewelry Webpage]

Testing Finds No Public Health Problem With Arsenic in Parks

Following the closure of Swann Park because of arsenic contamination, Baltimore City has completed its review of city parks and found no other public health risks associated with arsenic.  The review was conducted in coordination with the Maryland Department of the Environment with input from federal and local experts. [Press Release] [Baltimore Parks Report 2008]

Testing Reveals Item of Children’s Jewelry with Excess Lead

The Baltimore City Health Department has issued a violation notice to a business prohibiting the sale of a children’s jewelry product that was identified with a lead level in metal components above 600 parts per million. The Consumer Product Safety Commission has been alerted. [Press Release] [Lead in Children's Jewelry]

Mayor Dixon Launches Safe Streets Weekend

Mayor Sheila Dixon joined the Baltimore City Health Department’s Office of Youth Violence Prevention to announce the City’s first Safe Streets Weekend. The goal is to inform the city about public health efforts to reduce gun violence. [Press Release] [Safe Streets Webpage]

Data watch: Maryland Department of the Environment Releases 2007 Lead Poisoning Data

The Maryland Department of the Environment is reporting today that in 2007, 624 children or 3.5% of the 17,667 children tested in Baltimore City had elevated blood lead levels (at least 10 micrograms per deciliter). This represents a decrease from 843 children or 4.6% of the children tested in 2006. [Press Release] [Lead Poisoning Prevention Program]

Baltimore City Launches Code Red Heat Alert Plan, Health Commissioner Declares Code Red Heat Alert for Saturday through Monday

Mayor Sheila Dixon and senior city officials will release the Baltimore’s 2008 Code Red Heat Alert Plan at 9 a.m. in the rotunda at City Hall this morning. Developed by the Office of Emergency Management with the involvement of more than a dozen city and private agencies, the plan mobilizes city resources to prevent unnecessary suffering and death from excessive heat this summer. [Press Release] [Code Red Webpage] [Code Red Heat Alert Plan 2008]

Emergency Room Crowding Declined in 2007

In a letter to hospital CEOs, Fire Chief James S. Clack and Health Commissioner Joshua M. Sharfstein released new data showing a significant reduction in emergency room crowding in city hospitals in 2007. [Press Release] [Letter to Hospital CEOs]

Mayor Dixon and the Baltimore City Health Department Propose Ban on Sale of Single, Cheap Cigars

Mayor Sheila Dixon was joined by Baltimore City Health Department Commissioner Dr. Joshua Sharfstein, elected officials and health advocates to propose a new regulation to ban the sale of individual cigars. The sale of these single, cheap cigars poses major public health risks.

The Health Department is requesting public comment on this proposed regulation. Please send comments to Baltimore City Health Department, 210 Guilford Avenue, Baltimore MD 21202 Attention: Rianna Brown. The deadline for the submission of comments is 5 pm on Tuesday, July 1, 2008. [Press Release] [Proposed Regulation Banning the Sale of Single, Cheap Cigars in Baltimore City]

Health Commissioner Presents Second Annual Russo Award Winner

Commissioner Joshua M. Sharfstein announces that Michelle Sheldon-Rubio RN, BSN, CDE, senior diabetes educator at the University of Maryland Joslin Diabetes Center, is the winner of the 2008 Dr. Sebastian Russo Memorial Award. [Press Release]

Health Department Announces Love Your Heart Poster Contest Winners

The Baltimore City Health Department, in partnership with the Baltimore City Public School System, is announcing the winners of the Love Your Heart Poster Contest. Winners received gift certificates to a local bookstore, and teachers of winning students received gift certificates to Office Depot. The winning entries will be posted on the website later this week. [Press Release] [Winning Posters]

Health Department Announces Safe Streets Grant Opportunity

The Health Department is announcing a Request for Proposals for community organizations to implement Safe Streets, a community-based intervention program focused on reducing shootings and homicides. Community organizations in areas with high rates of violent crime are eligible to apply. [Press Release] [Safe Streets RFP] [Safe Streets Webpage]

Health Department Releases Quarterly Drug Intoxication Report

The Health Department is releasing a quarterly report on intoxication deaths associated with drugs of abuse or alcohol. The report covers the fourth quarter of 2007 and includes totals for calendar year 2007. [Press Release] [Intoxication Death Associated with Drugs of Abuse or Alcohol]

Innovative Oral Health Program Shows Results - Pediatricians Effectively Providing Fluoride Varnish to Young Children in Primary Care

The Baltimore City Health Department has released a progress report on an innovative pilot program in which pediatric clinicians apply fluoride varnish to prevent cavities in young children. The project is a partnership between the Health Department and The University of Maryland School of Dentistry and is coordinated by Baltimore HealthCare Access. [Press Release] [Baltimore City Fluoride Varnish Pilot Program Progress Report] [Fluoride Varnish Program]

Joint Effort Launched to Help Frequent Ambulance Callers

The Baltimore City Fire Department, Baltimore City Health Department, and Baltimore Healthcare Access, Inc. are launching an effort , called Operation Care, on May 12 to assist vulnerable city residents who make multiple calls for ambulance transport. [Press Release]

Health Department Hosts 5th Annual “Best Immunization Practice” Awards

The Baltimore City Health Department, Maternal and Child Health Division hosted the 5th Annual “Best Immunization Practice” awards for eight (8) pediatric healthcare practices. The Awards were presented at the Druid Health District Clinic located at 1515 W. North Avenue at 12:30pm this afternoon. [Press Release]

Health Department Joins the Greater Baltimore Asthma Alliance In Recognizing Asthma Awareness Month

May is Asthma Awareness Month, a month devoted to raising awareness of the risks associated with asthma. The Baltimore City Health Department and the Greater Baltimore Asthma Alliance (GBAA) are marking this occasion by introducing a new Asthma Resource Guide for Baltimore adults and children with asthma and the health professionals who serve them. Unlike existing asthma resources, this new guide is focused solely on identifying local resources available in and around Baltimore City. [Press Release]

Starting May 1, City Residents Can Pre-Enroll for July 1 Health Insurance
Expansion

Baltimore HealthCare Access is pleased to announce it
will begin pre enrolling Baltimore City residents into the expanded Medicaid expansion program on Thursday, May 1. [Press Release]

Child Fatality Review Team Releases Annual Report

The Baltimore City Child Fatality Review Team is releasing its 2007 annual report. The report provides recommendations and actions taken in 13 areas to understand and prevent unnecessary child death in the city. [Annual Report 2007]

Swann Park Task Force Releases Final Report

The Swann Park Task Force has sent its third and final report to Mayor Sheila Dixon. In this report, the Task Force examines the implications of Swann Park for Maryland’s environmental policy. The report makes recommendations on public access to information about contaminated sites, priorities, and funding for clean-up. [Press Release] [Letter to Mayor Dixon] [Final Report] [Swann Park Website]

Health Department Warns about STD Hoax

The Baltimore City Health Department is warning city residents to be alert for fake letters that use unauthorized city letterhead and claim to notify the resident about a sexually transmitted disease (STD). [Press Release]

Mayor Dixon Challenges City Businesses to Become “Fit-Friendly” as Health Department Qualifies for American Heart Association Honor

Mayor Sheila Dixon joined Health Commissioner Dr. Joshua Sharfstein today to award the Baltimore City Health Department the “Fit Friendly” designation from the American Heart Association. Mayor Dixon also challenged city businesses to meet the example of the Health Department by promoting fitness and good nutrition in the workplace. [Press Release]

Health Department Recognizes World TB Day

March 24th marks World TB Day, a day that highlights the global threat of tuberculosis. Although Baltimore City, like most of the United States, has low rates of TB, World TB Day is designed to make the public aware that tuberculosis remains a serious problem in much of the world. [Press Release] [Timeline of Maryland TB History] [TB Webpage]

Health Department Seeks to Honor Health Professionals Committed to Service in Baltimore City

The Baltimore City Health Department is seeking nominations of healthcare providers who have made significant contributions to their fields by providing dedicated and compassionate service to low-income individuals and families. Winners will receive the Sebastian Russo Memorial Award. [Press Release] [Award Information] [Nomination Form]

Health Department Withdraws Proposed Regulations for Fire Safety Standards for Cigarettes, as Major Companies Agree to Voluntary Action

On October 10, 2007, the Baltimore City Health Department proposed regulations prohibiting sale in Baltimore City of any cigarettes not meeting the fire safety standard in advance of the state implementation date of July 1, 2008. [Press Release] [Fire Safe Cigarettes Website]

Health Commissioner and Executive Director of Enoch Pratt Free Library Partner to Prevent Heart Disease

Baltimore Health Commissioner Dr. Joshua Sharfstein and Executive Director of the Enoch Pratt Free Library Dr. Carla Hayden are partnering to unveil a new heart disease prevention storefront window at the Enoch Pratt Free Library. [Press Release] [Heart Month Events] [Prevention Wednesday: Healthy Hearts] [Miercoles de Prevencion: Corazones Sanos]

Health Department Welcomes Jacquelyn Duval-Harvey as Deputy Commissioner of Youth and Families

The Baltimore City Health Department is pleased to welcome Jacquelyn Duval-Harvey, Ph.D. as the new Deputy Commissioner for Youth and Families. [Press Release]

Childhood Injury Deaths in Baltimore City 2002-2006

The Baltimore City Health Department and the Baltimore City Child Fatality Review Team are releasing the following report: Childhood Injury Deaths in Baltimore City 2002-2006. [Press Release] [Childhood Injury Deaths in Baltimore City 2002-2006]

Baltimore City Health and Fire Departments Urge Attention to Prevent Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

In response to recent reports of carbon monoxide poisoning in Baltimore, the Baltimore City Health Department and Baltimore City Fire Department released guidance. [Press Release]

Health Department Releases Report on Intoxication Deaths, January 1995 to September 2007

The Office of Epidemiology and Planning of the Baltimore City Health Department is releasing Intoxication Deaths Associated with Drugs of Abuse Or Alcohol, Baltimore, Maryland, January 1995 through September 2007. This report is based on an analysis of records provided by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner of the State of Maryland. [Press Release] [Report on Intoxication Deaths Associated with Drugs of Abuse of Alcohol]

T Minus 15 Days and Counting: No Better Time for Smokers to Quit

In advance of the implementation of city and state laws on indoor smoking, the Baltimore City Health Department and the Baltimore City Medical Society are urging clinicians to help smokers quit. [Press Release] [Memo from the Health Commissioner to Area Hospitals]

The Health Department Welcomes Dr. Avril Melissa Houston as Deputy Chief Medical Officer and Medical Director for Youth and Families

The Baltimore City Health Department is pleased to welcome Dr. Avril Melissa Houston as the new Deputy Chief Medical Officer and Medical Director for Youth and Families. [Press Release]

Baltimore City Receives $18.4 million in Federal Funding to Support Local Homeless Programs

On Friday, December 21, 2007, Baltimore City received notice of $18,444,023 in funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to support housing and supportive services for individuals experiencing homelessness. Baltimore City also received Emergency Shelter Grants (ESG) funds in the amount of $1,030,440. [Press Release]