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[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 175 Introduced in House (IH)]

<DOC>

118th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 175

 Recognizing the rise of cardiovascular disease as the world's leading 
  cause of preventable death and disability and as the global public 
  health crisis of this generation and supporting the recognition of 
               February 2023 as ``American Heart Month''.

_______________________________________________________________________

                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                           February 27, 2023

  Mr. Smith of New Jersey (for himself and Mrs. Beatty) submitted the 
following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and 
                                Commerce

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION

 
 Recognizing the rise of cardiovascular disease as the world's leading 
  cause of preventable death and disability and as the global public 
  health crisis of this generation and supporting the recognition of 
               February 2023 as ``American Heart Month''.

Whereas cardiovascular disease affects men, women, and children of every age and 
        race in the United States;
Whereas cardiovascular disease continues to be the leading cause of death in the 
        United States, claiming the lives of nearly 930,000 individuals in the 
        United States in 2020, more than all forms of cancer and chronic lower 
        respiratory disease combined;
Whereas, from 2019 to 2020, deaths from heart disease increased by 4.8 percent, 
        the largest increase in heart disease deaths since 2012, and stroke 
        deaths increased in the same period by 6 percent;
Whereas individuals in the United States have made great progress in reducing 
        the death rate for cardiovascular disease, but this progress has been 
        more modest with respect to the death rate for cardiovascular disease in 
        women and historically marginalized communities of color;
Whereas cardiovascular disease results in tremendous health care costs and lost 
        productivity, and if not addressed the United States alone will spend 
        over $1,000,000,000,000 dollars by 2035 on costs relating to 
        cardiovascular disease;
Whereas, between 2018 and 2019, cardiovascular disease accounted for 
        $407,000,000,000 in health care expenditures and lost productivity;
Whereas, in 2020, sudden cardiac arrest accounted for over 436,000 deaths;
Whereas, approximately every 40 seconds, an American will have a heart attack;
Whereas heart disease and stroke are the leading causes of maternal death among 
        women in the United States, accounting for more than 1 in 3 pregnancy-
        related deaths between 2011 and 2015;
Whereas congenital heart defects are--

    (1) the most common types of birth defects in the United States; and

    (2) the leading killer of infants with birth defects;

Whereas extensive clinical and statistical studies have identified major and 
        contributing factors that increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, 
        including--

    (1) high blood pressure;

    (2) high blood cholesterol;

    (3) smoking tobacco products;

    (4) exposure to tobacco smoke;

    (5) physical inactivity;

    (6) obesity; and

    (7) diabetes mellitus;

Whereas an individual can greatly reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease 
        through lifestyle modification coupled with medical treatment when 
        necessary;
Whereas greater awareness and early detection of risk factors for cardiovascular 
        disease can improve and save the lives of thousands of individuals in 
        the United States each year;
Whereas, under section 101(1) of title 36, United States Code, the President is 
        requested to issue an annual proclamation designating February as 
        American Heart Month;
Whereas the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute of the National Institutes 
        of Health, the American Heart Association, and many other organizations 
        celebrate National Wear Red Day during February by ``going red'' to 
        increase awareness about cardiovascular disease as the leading killer of 
        women; and
Whereas, every year since 1964, the President has issued a proclamation 
        designating the month of February as American Heart Month: Now, 
        therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) supports the designation of ``American Heart Month'';
            (2) supports the goals and ideals of American Heart Month;
            (3) recognizes and reaffirms the commitment of the United 
        States to fighting cardiovascular disease by--
                    (A) promoting awareness about the causes, risks, 
                and prevention of cardiovascular disease;
                    (B) supporting research on cardiovascular disease; 
                and
                    (C) improving access to affordable, quality care to 
                reduce long-term disability and mortality;
            (4) recognizes and supports efforts to address the long-
        term implications of the COVID-19 pandemic, including its 
        influence on cardiovascular health and mortality rates;
            (5) commends the efforts of States, territories, and 
        possessions of the United States, localities, nonprofit 
        organizations, businesses and other entities, and the people of 
        the United States who support American Heart Month; and
            (6) encourages every individual in the United States to 
        learn about their risk for cardiovascular disease.
                                 <all>
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