III 

115TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION S. RES. 319 

Supporting the goals, activities, and ideals of Prematurity Awareness Month. 

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 

NOVEMBER 1, 2017 

Mr. BROWN (for himself and Mr. ISAKSON) submitted the following resolution; 

which was referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and 

Pensions 

RESOLUTION 

Supporting the goals, activities, and ideals of Prematurity 

Awareness Month. 

Whereas, according to the World Health Organization, complications of preterm birth is now the number one killer 

of children under 5 years of age worldwide; 

Whereas 1,100,000 children die every year due to complications of preterm birth; 

Whereas preterm birth is a global problem that exacts a 

harsh toll on families from all parts of society in every 

country; 

Whereas there are stark inequalities in the survival rates of 

preterm babies born around the world; 


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•SRES 319 IS 

Whereas complications from preterm birth have lifelong consequences for the health, growth, and development of infants; 

Whereas up to 75 percent of deaths resulting from preterm 

birth worldwide can be prevented through proven low-cost 

interventions; 

Whereas countries can improve maternal health and the survival rate of babies born prematurely by making strategic 

investments in health care systems to ensure access to 

high-quality adolescent and pre-pregnancy care, prenatal 

care, childbirth services, emergency obstetric care, postnatal care, and comprehensive care for affected newborns; 

Whereas according to data collected by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, preterm-related causes are 

the leading contributors to infant death in the United 

States, accounting for more than 1⁄3 of infant deaths; 

Whereas while the preterm birth rate in the United States 

decreased from a peak of 12.8 percent in 2006, the 

preterm birth rate of 9.8 percent in 2016 is still too high; 

Whereas there are significant racial and ethnic disparities in 

preterm birth rates among many communities in the 

United States; 

Whereas the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies 

estimated in 2006 that the annual societal economic cost 

associated with preterm birth in the United States was 

$26,200,000,000; 

Whereas many preterm births can be prevented through evidence-based public health programs focused on reducing 

risk factors such as tobacco use, inadequate birth spacing, and early elective deliveries; and 


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•SRES 319 IS 

Whereas, in the United States and around the world, November is recognized as Prematurity Awareness Month: Now, 

therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the Senate— 

2 (1) supports the recognition of Prematurity 

3 Awareness Month; 

4 (2) supports efforts at home and abroad— 

5 (A) to reduce the impact of preterm births 

6 by improving maternal health during and after 

7 pregnancy; and 

8 (B) to advance the care and treatment of 

9 infants born preterm; 

10 (3) honors individuals working domestically and 

11 internationally to reduce preterm births; and 

12 (4) expresses the intent of the Senate to pro13 mote evidence-based prevention interventions to pre14 vent preterm birth and improve outcomes for af15 fected infants. 

Æ 


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