[Congressional Bills 112th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 417 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

112th CONGRESS
  2d Session
S. RES. 417

    Supporting the goals and ideals of National Public Health Week.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             March 29, 2012

Mr. Merkley (for himself, Mrs. Feinstein, Mr. Udall of New Mexico, Mr. 
Akaka, Mr. Coons, Mr. Tester, Mr. Wyden, Mr. Begich, Mr. Brown of Ohio, 
 and Mr. Johnson of South Dakota) submitted the following resolution; 
 which was referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and 
                                Pensions

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
    Supporting the goals and ideals of National Public Health Week.

Whereas the week of April 2, 2012, through April 8, 2012, is National Public 
        Health Week;
Whereas the theme for National Public Health Week in 2012 is ``A Healthier 
        America Begins Today: Join the Movement'';
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 
        people in the United States;
Whereas preventing diseases and injuries is critical to helping people live 
        longer, healthier lives while managing health-related costs;
Whereas chronic diseases, such as heart disease, cancer, and diabetes are 
        responsible for millions of premature deaths and cause the people in the 
        United States to miss 2,500,000,000 days of work each year, resulting in 
        lost productivity totaling more than $1,000,000,000,000;
Whereas in 2012, people in the United States are living 78 years on average, but 
        only 69 of these years are spent in good health;
Whereas despite providing some of the best health care in the world, the United 
        States still ranks below many countries in life expectancy, infant 
        mortality, and many other indicators of healthy life;
Whereas studies have shown that small strategic investments in prevention could 
        result in significant savings in health-care costs; and
Whereas in communities across the United States, more people are changing the 
        way they care for their health by avoiding tobacco use, eating 
        healthier, becoming more physically active, and preventing unintentional 
        injuries at home and in the workplace: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) supports the goals and ideals of National Public Health 
        Week;
            (2) recognizes the efforts of public health professionals, 
        the Federal Government, States, municipalities, local 
        communities, and every person in the United States in 
        preventing disease and injury;
            (3) recognizes the role of public health in improving the 
        health of people in the United States;
            (4) encourages increased efforts and resources to improve 
        the health of people in the United States through--
                    (A) strategies to promote community health and 
                prevent disease and injury; and
                    (B) strengthening of the public health system of 
                the United States; and
            (5) encourages the people of the United States to learn 
        about the role of the public health system in improving health 
        in the United States.
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