Title: A resolution supporting the goals, activities, and ideals of Prematurity Awareness Month.
Policy area: Health

Summary:
This resolution expresses support for the recognition of Prematurity Awareness Month and for efforts to improve the care and treatment of infants born preterm.

[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 436 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

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116th CONGRESS
  1st Session
S. RES. 436

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


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                           November 21, 2019

    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 are now the leading cause of death among children under 5 years of 
        age worldwide;
Whereas approximately 1,000,000 children die each year due to complications of 
        preterm birth;
Whereas preterm birth is a global problem that exacts a toll on families from 
        all parts of society in every country;
Whereas many complications of preterm birth may 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 cost-effective strategies to promote full-term 
        births and improve the care of preterm infants;
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 pre-pregnancy care, prenatal care, 
        childbirth services, emergency obstetric care, postnatal care, and 
        comprehensive care for affected newborns;
Whereas the preterm birth rate in the United States has worsened for four 
        consecutive years, rising from 9.63 percent in 2015 to 10.02 percent in 
        2018;
Whereas there are significant racial and ethnic disparities in preterm birth 
        rates among many communities in the United States;
Whereas there are disparities in preterm birth rates globally, with lower-income 
        families at the highest risk of having a child preterm;
Whereas many preterm births can be prevented through evidence-based public 
        health programs focused on reducing risk factors such as tobacco use, 
        closely spaced pregnancies, and early elective deliveries; and
Whereas, in the United States and around the world, November is recognized as 
        Prematurity Awareness Month: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) supports the recognition of Prematurity Awareness 
        Month;
            (2) honors individuals working domestically and 
        internationally to reduce preterm births; and
            (3) supports efforts at home and abroad to--
                    (A) reduce the impact of preterm births by 
                improving maternal health during and after pregnancy;
                    (B) advance the care and treatment of infants born 
                preterm; and
                    (C) promote evidence-based strategies to--
                            (i) prevent preterm birth and promote full-
                        term births; and
                            (ii) improve outcomes for infants born 
                        preterm.
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