[Congressional Bills 115th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 625 Introduced in House (IH)]

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115th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 625

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


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                           November 16, 2017

   Mr. Brendan F. Boyle of Pennsylvania (for himself and Ms. Norton) 
submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee 
  on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Foreign 
Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in 
   each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the 
                jurisdiction of the committee concerned

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


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

Whereas according to the World Health Organization, complications of preterm 
        birth now outrank all other causes as the world's number one killer of 
        children under 5 years of age;
Whereas complications of preterm birth accounted for 35 percent of deaths among 
        newborns globally in 2013;
Whereas there are stark inequalities in the survival rates of preterm babies 
        born around the world;
Whereas up to 75 percent of deaths resulting from preterm birth worldwide can be 
        prevented through proven low-cost interventions;
Whereas preterm birth is a global problem, exacting a harsh toll on families 
        from all parts of society in every nation;
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 adolescent and prepregnancy care; 
        prenatal care, quality childbirth services, and emergency obstetric 
        care; as well as comprehensive care for affected newborns;
Whereas according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, preterm 
        birth is the leading contributor to infant death in the United States;
Whereas while the United States preterm birth rate decreased from a peak of 12.8 
        percent in 2006 to 9.8 percent in 2016, the rate is still too high;
Whereas the March of Dimes 2017 Premature Birth Report Card awarded the United 
        States a ``C'' due to persistently high rates of preterm birth;
Whereas many United States communities experience significant racial and ethnic 
        disparities in preterm birth rates;
Whereas the Institute of Medicine estimated in 2006 that the annual societal 
        economic cost associated with preterm birth in the United States was 
        $26.2 billion;
Whereas many preterm births can be prevented through evidence-based public 
        health programs focused on reducing risk factors, such as tobacco use, 
        inadequate birth spacing, 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 House of Representatives--
            (1) supports the recognition of Prematurity Awareness 
        Month;
            (2) supports efforts at home and abroad to--
                    (A) reduce the impact of preterm births by 
                improving maternal health prepregnancy and 
                postpregnancy; and
                    (B) advance the care and treatment of infants born 
                preterm;
            (3) honors those working domestically and internationally 
        to reduce preterm births; and
            (4) expresses the intent of the House of Representatives to 
        promote evidence-based prevention interventions to prevent 
        preterm birth and improve outcomes for affected infants.
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