[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 171 (Wednesday, November 30, 2016)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6621-S6622]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS

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SENATE RESOLUTION 624--SUPPORTING THE GOALS, ACTIVITIES, AND IDEALS OF 
                        WORLD PREMATURITY MONTH

  Mr. BROWN (for himself and Mr. Isakson) submitted the following 
resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary:

                              S. Res. 624

       Whereas, according to the World Health Organization, 
     complications from preterm birth are the world's leading 
     killer of children younger than 5 years of age;
       Whereas preterm birth is a global problem, exacting a harsh 
     toll on families from all parts of society in every country;
       Whereas, in 2015, complications from preterm birth 
     accounted for 1,000,000 deaths of children younger than 5 
     years of age worldwide;
       Whereas there are stark inequalities with respect to the 
     survival rates of preterm babies born around the world;
       Whereas up to 75 percent of deaths resulting from preterm 
     birth worldwide could be prevented through proven low-cost 
     interventions;
       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--
       (1) high quality prenatal and postnatal care;
       (2) quality childbirth services;
       (3) emergency obstetric care; and
       (4) comprehensive care for affected newborns;

       Whereas, according to the Centers for Disease Control and 
     Prevention, premature birth is the leading contributor to 
     infant death in the United States and poses the risk of 
     lifelong health problems for babies who survive;
       Whereas, while the preterm birth rate in the United States 
     decreased from a peak of 12.8 percent in 2006 to 9.6 percent 
     in 2015, the rate remains too high;
       Whereas many communities in the United States experience 
     significant racial and ethnic disparities in preterm birth 
     rates;
       Whereas, in 2005, the Institute of Medicine estimated that 
     the annual societal economic cost associated with preterm 
     birth in the United States was $26,200,000,000; and

[[Page S6622]]

       Whereas preterm births can be prevented through evidence-
     based public health programs, including through the reduction 
     of risk factors, such as tobacco use and early elective 
     deliveries, and the promotion of healthy timing and spacing 
     of pregnancy: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) recognizes November 2016 as ``World Prematurity 
     Month'';
       (2) supports efforts in the United States, and recognizes 
     efforts abroad, to--
       (A) reduce the impact of preterm births by improving 
     maternal health; and
       (B) advance the care and treatment of infants who are born 
     preterm; and
       (3) honors individuals working in the United States and 
     internationally to reduce the number of preterm births.

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