[Congressional Bills 113th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 124 Introduced in House (IH)]

113th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 124

    Supporting the goals and ideals of National Public Health Week.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             March 18, 2013

    Ms. Roybal-Allard submitted the following resolution; which was 
            referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
    Supporting the goals and ideals of National Public Health Week.

Whereas the week of April 1, 2013, through April 7, 2013, is National Public 
        Health Week, and the theme for 2013 is ``Public Health is ROI: Save 
        Lives, Save Money'';
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 
        the people of the United States;
Whereas the value of a strong public health system is in the air people breathe, 
        the water they drink, the food they eat, and the places where they live, 
        learn, work, and play;
Whereas each 10 percent increase in local public health spending contributes to 
        a 6.9 percent decrease in infant deaths, a 3.2 percent decrease in 
        cardiovascular deaths, a 1.4 percent decrease in deaths due to diabetes, 
        and a 1.1 percent decrease in deaths due to cancer;
Whereas routine childhood immunizations save $9,900,000 in direct health care 
        costs, save 33,000 lives, and prevent 14,000,000 cases of disease;
Whereas childhood health problems linked to preventable environmental exposures, 
        such as lead poisoning, asthma complications, and developmental 
        disabilities, cost the United States $76,600,000,000 in 2008, and those 
        costs increased from 2.8 percent of total health care costs in 1997 to 
        3.5 percent in 2008;
Whereas the cost of providing dental care for Medicaid-eligible children who 
        live in communities without water fluoridation is twice as high as the 
        cost for providing dental care for Medicaid-eligible children who 
        receive the oral health benefits of drinking water with fluoridation;
Whereas a $52 investment in a child safety seat prevents $2,200 in medical 
        costs, resulting in a return of $42 for every $1 invested;
Whereas an investment in workplace wellness initiatives reduces sick leave and 
        results in a return of $3.27 in medical costs alone for every $1 
        invested;
Whereas health problems linked to hunger and food insecurity cost 
        $130,500,000,000 annually;
Whereas, from 1991 to 2006, investments in HIV prevention averted more than 
        350,000 infections and saved more than $125,000,000,000 in medical 
        costs; and
Whereas, by adequately supporting public health and prevention, the people of 
        the United States can transform a health system focused on treating 
        illness into a health system focused on preventing disease and promoting 
        wellness: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (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 individuals 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 investment of 
        resources to improve the health of people in the United States 
        through--
                    (A) interventions to promote community health and 
                prevent disease and injury; and
                    (B) strengthening the public health system of the 
                United States; and
            (5) encourages the people of the United States to learn 
        about the role that the public health system plays in improving 
        health in the United States.
                                 <all>