HR0008 98TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0008 LRB098 00184 GRL 30185 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Premature birth is a serious and growing problem that affects families from every walk of life and in every corner of the country; and

WHEREAS, 12.8%, or one of every eight, of all babies born in the United States are born prematurely; and

WHEREAS, Premature births have increased by 36% since the early 1980s; and

WHEREAS, In the United States, prematurity/low birthweight is the second leading cause of all infant deaths in the first year of life and the leading cause of infant death among black infants; and

WHEREAS, Premature babies who survive may suffer life-long consequences, including cerebral palsy, mental retardation, chronic lung disease, and vision and hearing loss; and

WHEREAS, Preterm birth and low birth weight are a significant financial burden in health care; and

WHEREAS, The medical, educational, and lost of productivity costs associated with preterm birth in the United States was at least $26 billion in 2005; and

WHEREAS, Low birth weight, especially in conjunction with environmental stress, is associated with the development of diabetes and other chronic diseases later in life; and

WHEREAS, It is a fact that pre-term infants are more likely to have health problems that result in re-hospitalization; and

WHEREAS, The causes of premature births are not fully understood; and

WHEREAS, The cause of approximately half of all preterm births is completely unknown; and

WHEREAS, To reduce the rates of preterm labor and delivery, more research and funding is needed on the underlying causes of preterm delivery, the prevention of preterm birth so that babies are born full-term, and treatments improving outcomes for infants born prematurely; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we recognize activities and programs that promote awareness of and solutions to the dangers of premature birth across the United States; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we designate the 16th of every month in 2013 and 2014 as Premature Birth Prevention and Awareness Day in the State of Illinois; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we encourage Congress to pass the PREEMIE Reauthorization Act to continue and enhance federal support for research into the causes and prevention of premature birth and to reduce infant mortality caused by prematurity; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we dedicate this resolution to the memory of Leilani Marie Decker and her courageous struggle; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be presented to the Governor, the Speaker and Minority Leader of the Illinois House of Representatives, the President and Minority Leader of the Illinois Senate, and the members of the Illinois congressional delegation.