[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 43 (Friday, March 22, 2013)]
[Senate]
[Page S2339]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   SENATE RESOLUTION 91--SUPPORTING THE GOALS AND IDEALS OF NATIONAL 
                           PUBLIC HEALTH WEEK

  Mr. UDALL of New Mexico (for himself, Mr. Cardin, Mr. Brown, Mr. 
Wyden, Mr. Tester, and Mr. Blumenthal) submitted the following 
resolution; which was:

                               S. Res. 91

       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 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 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.

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