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[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 863 Engrossed in House (EH)]

H. Res. 863

                In the House of Representatives, U. S.,

                                                      November 4, 2009.
Whereas pneumonia kills an estimated 4,000,000 people every year, according to 
        the World Health Organization and UNICEF;
Whereas more than 150,000,000 episodes of pneumonia occur every year among 
        children under the age of five in developing countries, accounting for 
        more than 95 percent of all new cases worldwide;
Whereas of the 8,800,000 children under the age of five who die every year, up 
        to 2,000,000 die from pneumonia;
Whereas pneumonia kills 1 child every 15 seconds;
Whereas pneumonia kills more children than any other illness;
Whereas an estimated 26 percent of neonatal deaths within the first month after 
        birth are caused by severe infections, including pneumonia;
Whereas these deaths occur primarily in the world's poorest countries;
Whereas for every child who dies of pneumonia in an industrialized country, more 
        than 2,000 children die of pneumonia in poor countries;
Whereas pneumonia is a preventable and treatable problem;
Whereas more than 1,000,000 lives could be saved each year through pneumonia 
        prevention and treatment;
Whereas many childhood pneumonia deaths can be prevented with early diagnosis;
Whereas immunizing children against measles, whooping cough, Haemophilus 
        influenzae type b (Hib), and pneumococcus could cut the rate of severe 
        pneumonia in half;
Whereas studies indicate that in developing countries, only one in four 
        caregivers know the two key symptoms of pneumonia, fast and difficult 
        breathing, which indicate that a child should be treated immediately;
Whereas fewer than 1/3 of children suffering from pneumonia in the developing 
        world receive antibiotics which are available for less than $1;
Whereas health professionals agree that prevention and treatment of pneumonia 
        must be a priority in broader, coordinated child survival strategies;
Whereas in the context of child survival strategies, pneumonia control requires 
        a three-prong program of protection, prevention, and treatment;
Whereas preventing and treating childhood pneumonia is critical to reducing the 
        mortality rate of children under the age of five; and
Whereas World Pneumonia Day is recognized on November 2 annually: Now, 
        therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) affirms its commitment to child survival and development 
        programs that focus on protection, prevention, and treatment of 
        pneumonia;
            (2) salutes the health professionals and community health workers 
        who are on the front lines in the world's poorest countries, extending 
        preventative care and treatment to children most at risk of contracting 
        pneumonia;
            (3) reaffirms the United States commitment to reducing child 
        mortality; and
            (4) recognizes World Pneumonia Day.
            Attest:

                                                                          Clerk.
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