[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 56 (Monday, April 7, 2014)]
[Senate]
[Page S2201]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  SENATE RESOLUTION 415--SUPPORTING THE GOALS AND IDEALS OF NATIONAL 
                           PUBLIC HEALTH WEEK

  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.:

                              S. Res. 415

       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.

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