III 

113TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION S. RES. 415 

Supporting the goals and ideals of National Public Health Week. 

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 

APRIL 7, 2014 

Mr. UDALL of New Mexico (for himself, Mr. BROWN, Mr. WHITEHOUSE, Mr. 

CARDIN, Mr. JOHNSON of South Dakota, Mr. SCHUMER, Mr. BEGICH, 

Ms. WARREN, Ms. HEITKAMP, and Mrs. HAGAN) submitted the following 

resolution; which was considered and agreed to 

RESOLUTION 

Supporting the goals and ideals of National Public Health 

Week. 

Whereas the week of April 7 through April 13, 2014, is National Public Health Week, and the theme for 2014 is 

‘‘Public Health: Start Here’’; 

Whereas since 1995, public health organizations have used 

National Public Health Week to educate the public, policymakers, and public health professionals about issues 

that are important to improving the health of the people 

of the United States; 

Whereas the public health system that keeps our communities 

healthy and safe is changing as technologies advance, 

public attitudes toward health shift, and more health and 

safety options become available; 


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•SRES 415 ATS 

Whereas the value of a strong public health system is in the 

air we breathe, the water we drink, the food we eat, and 

the places where we live, learn, work, and play; 

Whereas public health professionals help communities prepare 

for, withstand, and recover from the impact of natural 

and man-made disasters; 

Whereas according to the Institute of Medicine, despite being 

one of the wealthiest nations in the world, the United 

States still ranks below many other economically prosperous countries in life expectancy, infant mortality, low 

birth weight, and many other indicators of public health; 

Whereas studies have shown that small strategic investments 

in preventive health care could result in significant savings in overall health care costs; 

Whereas research suggests that each 10 percent increase in 

local public health spending contributes to a 6.9 percent 

decrease in infant deaths, a 3.2 percent decrease in cardiovascular deaths, a 1.4 percent decrease in deaths due 

to diabetes, and a 1.1 percent decrease in cancer deaths; 

Whereas in communities across the country, people are 

changing the way they care for their health by avoiding 

tobacco use, eating well, being physically active, and preventing injuries at home and in the workplace; and 

Whereas by adequately supporting public health and preventive health care, we can continue to transition from a 

public health system focused on treating illness to one focused on preventing disease and promoting wellness: 

Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the Senate— 


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•SRES 415 ATS 

1 (1) supports the goals and ideals of National 

2 Public Health Week; 

3 (2) recognizes the efforts of public health pro4 fessionals, the Federal Government, States, Tribes, 

5 municipalities, local communities, and individuals in 

6 preventing disease and injury; 

7 (3) recognizes the role of the public health sys8 tem in improving the health of individuals in the 

9 United States; 

10 (4) encourages increasing the efforts and re11 sources devoted to improving the health of people in 

12 the United States and to making the United States 

13 the healthiest nation in the world in one generation 

14 through— 

15 (A) greater opportunities to improve com16 munity health and prevent disease and injury; 

17 and 

18 (B) strengthening the public health system 

19 of the United States; and 

20 (5) encourages the people of the United States 

21 to learn about the role of the public health system 

22 in improving health in the United States. 

Æ 


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