As summer unofficially begins, Baltimore's health commissioner is urging residents to be wary of the risks of extreme heat. "Heat is one of the leading weather-related killers in the United States, resulting in hundreds of people dying and thousands becoming ill every year," Dr. Leana Wen said in a statement. "Heat waves are silent killers and a public health threat, particularly for the young, the elderly and those in our city who are the most vulnerable."

Today, Baltimore City Health Commissioner Dr. Leana Wen was joined by representatives of the Mayor’s Office, Baltimore City Fire Department, Office of Emergency Management, and Office of Human Services / Community Action Partnership in announcing the kickoff of Code Red Heat Alert season, which began May 15th and runs until September 15th. 

The department's annual tally of drug- and alcohol-related deaths shows heroin's toll continuing a steep rise that began several years ago. The number of heroin-related deaths in 2014 was 25 percent higher than the previous year, and more than double the total in 2010. The Baltimore task force is scheduled to issue its recommendations to Rawlings-Blake in July. Dr. Leana S. Wen, the city health commissioner, said the new state statistics confirm what she calls a "public health crisis" — but a preventable one.

The Baltimore City Health Department announces a revised schedule for the free shuttle service from 10 residential buildings in areas impacted by the recent civil unrest to a WalMart and supermarkets, ensuring that residents have access to food and other daily necessities. The shuttle service will operate Monday – Friday during the month of May, with pickups at 930 am & 1:30 pm. The shuttle schedule can be found below.