[Congressional Bills 113th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 415 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]

113th CONGRESS
  2d Session
S. RES. 415

    Supporting the goals and ideals of National Public Health Week.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             April 7, 2014

 Mr. Udall of New Mexico (for himself, Mr. Brown, Mr. Whitehouse, Mr. 
   Cardin, Mr. Johnson of South Dakota, Mr. Schumer, Mr. Begich, Ms. 
     Warren, Ms. Heitkamp, and Mrs. Hagan) submitted the following 
             resolution; which was considered and agreed to

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
    Supporting the goals and ideals of National Public Health Week.

Whereas the week of April 7 through April 13, 2014, is National Public Health 
        Week, and the theme for 2014 is ``Public Health: Start Here'';
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 public health system that keeps our communities healthy and safe is 
        changing as technologies advance, public attitudes toward health shift, 
        and more health and safety options become available;
Whereas the value of a strong public health system is in the air we breathe, the 
        water we drink, the food we eat, and the places where we live, learn, 
        work, and play;
Whereas public health professionals help communities prepare for, withstand, and 
        recover from the impact of natural and man-made disasters;
Whereas according to the Institute of Medicine, despite being one of the 
        wealthiest nations in the world, the United States still ranks below 
        many other economically prosperous countries in life expectancy, infant 
        mortality, low birth weight, and many other indicators of public health;
Whereas studies have shown that small strategic investments in preventive health 
        care could result in significant savings in overall health care costs;
Whereas research suggests that 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 cancer deaths;
Whereas in communities across the country, people are changing the way they care 
        for their health by avoiding tobacco use, eating well, being physically 
        active, and preventing injuries at home and in the workplace; and
Whereas by adequately supporting public health and preventive health care, we 
        can continue to transition from a public health system focused on 
        treating illness to one focused on preventing disease and promoting 
        wellness: 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, Tribes, municipalities, local 
        communities, and individuals in preventing disease and injury;
            (3) recognizes the role of the public health system in 
        improving the health of individuals in the United States;
            (4) encourages increasing the efforts and resources devoted 
        to improving the health of people in the United States and to 
        making the United States the healthiest nation in the world in 
        one generation through--
                    (A) greater opportunities to improve 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 of the public health system in improving health 
        in the United States.
                                 <all>