IV 
119TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. RES. 877 
Expressing support for the designation of ‘‘Prematurity Awareness Month’’. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
NOVEMBER 17, 2025 
Ms. MCCLELLAN (for herself, Ms. KELLY of Illinois, Mrs. KIGGANS of Vir-
ginia, Ms. NORTON, Mr. TONKO, Mrs. MCIVER, Mr. MCGARVEY, Ms. 
SCHAKOWSKY, Mrs. RAMIREZ, Mr. KENNEDY of New York, Ms. CLARKE 
of New York, Mr. CARSON, Mrs. DINGELL, and Ms. WILLIAMS of Geor-
gia) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Com-
mittee 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, 
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-
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•HRES 877 IH 
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 2021 through 2023; 
Whereas, while other countries have reduced their maternal 
mortality rates since the 1990s, the United States mater-
nal mortality rate continues to be at unacceptable rates; 
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 the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) states that 
80 percent of pregnancy-related deaths are preventable; 
Whereas the number of women who experience pregnancy-re-
lated complications in the United States is steadily in-
creasing, affecting more than 50,000 women per year; 
Whereas more than 370,000 babies, or 1 in 10 babies, were 
born preterm in 2022, and preterm birth rates are among 
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; 
Whereas preterm birth accounts for 35.8 percent of infant 
deaths in the United States; 
Whereas preterm birth, along with low birth weight babies, 
make up the second leading cause of infant deaths after 
birth defects; 
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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 families of preterm infants often face significant 
emotional and financial burdens due to extended neonatal 
intensive care unit (NICU) stays and ongoing healthcare 
needs; 
Whereas the annual societal economic cost of preterm birth 
is an estimated $25,200,000,000; 
Whereas preterm birth can be triggered by multiple, inter-
acting biologic and environmental factors; 
Whereas preterm births can be prevented through fully 
staffed and funded investments in research and evidence- 
based public health programs focused on reducing 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 2025 marks the 22nd 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— 
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(A) 
observe 
‘‘Prematurity 
Awareness 
Month’’ with appropriate events and activities; 
(B) take an active role in promoting 
awareness; and 
(C) encourage parents and communities to 
support preterm birth prevention programs. 
Æ 
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