[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 187 (Thursday, November 21, 2019)]
[Senate]
[Page S6759]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS

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SENATE RESOLUTION 436--SUPPORTING THE GOALS, ACTIVITIES, AND IDEALS OF 
                      PREMATURITY AWARENESS MONTH

  Mr. BROWN (for himself and Mr. Isakson) submitted the following 
resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Health, Education, 
Labor, and Pensions:

                              S. Res. 436

       Whereas, according to the World Health Organization, 
     complications of preterm birth are now the leading cause of 
     death among children under 5 years of age worldwide;
       Whereas approximately 1,000,000 children die each year due 
     to complications of preterm birth;
       Whereas preterm birth is a global problem that exacts a 
     toll on families from all parts of society in every country;
       Whereas many complications of preterm birth may have 
     lifelong consequences for the health, growth, and development 
     of infants;
       Whereas up to 75 percent of deaths resulting from preterm 
     birth worldwide can be prevented through proven cost-
     effective strategies to promote full-term births and improve 
     the care of preterm infants;
       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 pre-pregnancy care, prenatal care, childbirth 
     services, emergency obstetric care, postnatal care, and 
     comprehensive care for affected newborns;
       Whereas the preterm birth rate in the United States has 
     worsened for four consecutive years, rising from 9.63 percent 
     in 2015 to 10.02 percent in 2018;
       Whereas there are significant racial and ethnic disparities 
     in preterm birth rates among many communities in the United 
     States;
       Whereas there are disparities in preterm birth rates 
     globally, with lower-income families at the highest risk of 
     having a child preterm;
       Whereas many preterm births can be prevented through 
     evidence-based public health programs focused on reducing 
     risk factors such as tobacco use, closely spaced pregnancies, 
     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 Senate--
       (1) supports the recognition of Prematurity Awareness 
     Month;
       (2) honors individuals working domestically and 
     internationally to reduce preterm births; and
       (3) supports efforts at home and abroad to--
       (A) reduce the impact of preterm births by improving 
     maternal health during and after pregnancy;
       (B) advance the care and treatment of infants born preterm; 
     and
       (C) promote evidence-based strategies to--
       (i) prevent preterm birth and promote full-term births; and
       (ii) improve outcomes for infants born preterm.

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