A resolution supporting the goals, activities, and ideals of Prematurity Awareness Month.

III 116TH CONGRESS 1ST SESSION S. RES. 436 Supporting the goals, activities, and ideals of Prematurity Awareness Month. IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES NOVEMBER 21, 2019 Mr. BROWN (for himself and Mr. ISAKSON) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions RESOLUTION Supporting the goals, activities, and ideals of Prematurity Awareness Month. Whereas, according to the World Health Organization, com- plications 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 life- long consequences for the health, growth, and develop- ment of infants; Whereas up to 75 percent of deaths resulting from preterm birth worldwide can be prevented through proven cost-ef- VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:05 Nov 22, 2019 Jkt 099200 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\SR436.IS SR436 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42 with BILLS 2 •SRES 436 IS fective strategies to promote full-term births and improve the care of preterm infants; Whereas countries can improve maternal health and the sur- vival 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 per- cent 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 evi- dence-based public health programs focused on reducing risk factors such as tobacco use, closely spaced preg- nancies, and early elective deliveries; and Whereas, in the United States and around the world, Novem- ber is recognized as Prematurity Awareness Month: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Senate— 1 (1) supports the recognition of Prematurity 2 Awareness Month; 3 (2) honors individuals working domestically and 4 internationally to reduce preterm births; and 5 VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:05 Nov 22, 2019 Jkt 099200 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\SR436.IS SR436 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42 with BILLS 3 •SRES 436 IS (3) supports efforts at home and abroad to— 1 (A) reduce the impact of preterm births by 2 improving maternal health during and after 3 pregnancy; 4 (B) advance the care and treatment of in- 5 fants born preterm; and 6 (C) promote evidence-based strategies to— 7 (i) prevent preterm birth and promote 8 full-term births; and 9 (ii) improve outcomes for infants born 10 preterm. 11 Æ VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:05 Nov 22, 2019 Jkt 099200 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6301 E:\BILLS\SR436.IS SR436 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42 with BILLS