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[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 1581 Introduced in House (IH)]

<DOC>

118th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. RES. 1581

   Expressing support for the designation of ``Prematurity Awareness 
                                Month''.

_______________________________________________________________________

                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                           November 19, 2024

 Ms. McClellan (for herself, Mrs. Kiggans of Virginia, Ms. Eshoo, Ms. 
    Kelly of Illinois, Mr. Allred, Ms. Barragan, Ms. Bonamici, Ms. 
Brownley, Ms. Castor of Florida, Mr. Ciscomani, Ms. Clarke of New York, 
 Ms. Craig, Mrs. Dingell, Ms. Escobar, Mr. Fitzpatrick, Mrs. Foushee, 
Mr. Grijalva, Mrs. Hayes, Ms. Hoyle of Oregon, Mr. Jackson of Illinois, 
   Ms. Jayapal, Mr. Johnson of Georgia, Mr. Kilmer, Ms. Kuster, Mr. 
Lawler, Ms. Lee of California, Ms. Lofgren, Mr. McGarvey, Ms. Moore of 
 Wisconsin, Ms. Norton, Mrs. Ramirez, Ms. Scanlon, Ms. Schakowsky, Ms. 
 Sewell, Ms. Stevens, Mr. Tonko, Ms. Tokuda, Mrs. Watson Coleman, and 
 Ms. Wexton) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to 
                  the Committee on Energy and Commerce

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION

 
   Expressing support for the designation of ``Prematurity Awareness 
                                Month''.

Whereas the United States is in the midst of a maternal and infant health 
        crisis, with nearly every measure of the health of pregnant women, new 
        mothers, and infants living in the United States going in the wrong 
        direction;
Whereas the United States remains one of the most dangerous places to give birth 
        among high-income countries, and there are unacceptable disparities in 
        birth outcomes for women and infants of color;
Whereas women living in maternity care deserts and counties with low access to 
        care have poorer health before pregnancy, receive less prenatal care, 
        and experience higher rates of preterm birth;
Whereas there have been an excess of over 10,000 preterm births among those 
        living in maternity care deserts and limited access counties in 2020 
        through 2022;
Whereas, while other countries have reduced their maternal mortality rates since 
        the 1990s, the United States maternal mortality rate continues to rise;
Whereas maternal health outcomes are getting worse and are driven by 
        disparities, with Black and American Indian and Alaska Native women 
        dying at nearly 3 times the rate of White women;
Whereas 80 percent of pregnancy-related deaths are preventable;
Whereas the number of women who experience pregnancy-related complications in 
        the United States is steadily increasing, affecting at least 50,000 
        women per year;
Whereas, approximately 383,000 babies were born preterm in 2021, and preterm 
        birth rates are at the highest level since 2007;
Whereas prematurity is the leading cause of newborn death and disability among 
        infants, including intellectual and developmental delays, behavioral 
        problems, neurological disorders, chronic respiratory problems, and 
        vision and hearing impairment;
Whereas preterm birth accounts for 35.8 percent of infant deaths in the United 
        States;
Whereas maternal health outcomes are getting worse, and Black and Native 
        American women are 62 percent more likely to have a preterm birth, and 
        their babies are twice as likely to die as compared to White women;
Whereas the annual societal economic cost of preterm birth is an estimated 
        $25,200,000,000;
Whereas preterm births can be prevented through research and evidence-based 
        public health programs focused on reducing risk factors, improving 
        social determinants of health, and eliminating social and structural 
        disparities;
Whereas families face serious health risks and adverse outcomes while the health 
        advocacy community fights for the health of all families by supporting 
        research, leading programs, highlighting and addressing disparities, and 
        providing education and advocacy; and
Whereas November 2024 marks the 21st anniversary of ``Prematurity Awareness 
        Month'': Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) expresses support for the designation of ``Prematurity 
        Awareness Month''; and
            (2) calls on the people of the United States, interest 
        groups, and affected people to--
                    (A) observe ``Prematurity Awareness Month'' with 
                appropriate events and activities;
                    (B) take an active role in promoting awareness; and
                    (C) encourage parents and communities to support 
                preterm birth prevention programs.
                                 <all>
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