IV 
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. BARRAGA´N, 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. KIL-
MER, 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) sub-
mitted 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 liv-
ing in the United States going in the wrong direction; 
Whereas the United States remains one of the most dan-
gerous places to give birth among high-income countries, 
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•HRES 1581 IH 
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 preg-
nancy, 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 mater-
nal 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 prevent-
able; 
Whereas the number of women who experience pregnancy-re-
lated complications in the United States is steadily in-
creasing, 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; 
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•HRES 1581 IH 
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 re-
ducing risk factors, improving social determinants of 
health, and eliminating social and structural disparities; 
Whereas families face serious health risks and adverse out-
comes while the health advocacy community fights for the 
health of all families by supporting research, leading pro-
grams, highlighting and addressing disparities, and pro-
viding 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, in-
terest groups, and affected people to— 
(A) 
observe 
‘‘Prematurity 
Awareness 
Month’’ with appropriate events and activities; 
(B) take an active role in promoting 
awareness; and 
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