PRINTER'S NO. 1326
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE RESOLUTION
No.
242
Session of
2017
INTRODUCED BY RAFFERTY, BROOKS, BROWNE, FONTANA, GREENLEAF,
SABATINA, TARTAGLIONE, HUGHES AND RESCHENTHALER,
NOVEMBER 14, 2017
INTRODUCED AND ADOPTED, NOVEMBER 14, 2017
A RESOLUTION
Designating the month of November 2017 as "Prematurity Awareness
Month" and November 17, 2017, as "Prematurity Awareness Day"
in Pennsylvania.
WHEREAS, The March of Dimes Foundation is a pioneer in
improving the health of infants and women of childbearing age by
preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality;
and
WHEREAS, In 2003, the March of Dimes launched the Prematurity
Campaign to address the crisis of premature birth and help
families have full-term, healthy babies; and
WHEREAS, The March of Dimes has set a national goal of
reducing preterm birth to 5.5% in every state by 2030, which
will result in a healthier start in life for tens of thousands
of infants; and
WHEREAS, Approximately 13,224 babies were born premature in
this Commonwealth in 2015, representing 9.3% of all births
Statewide; and
WHEREAS, This Commonwealth receives a grade of C and a
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disparity index ranking of 1.33 on the March of Dimes 2017
Premature Birth Report Card; and
WHEREAS, The March of Dimes in Pennsylvania has worked
extensively to promote access to health services and health
coverage as well as raise awareness of tobacco-related issues,
birth spacing and policies that help to reduce premature birth
and promote health equity; and
WHEREAS, The March of Dimes of Pennsylvania looks forward to
partnering with the General Assembly in response to the
continued crisis of premature birth; and
WHEREAS, The month of November is recognized as "World
Prematurity Awareness Month" to bring about recognition of this
global health crisis, and November 17 is recognized as
"Prematurity Awareness Day" across the United States; therefore
be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate designate the month of November
2017 as "Prematurity Awareness Month" and November 17, 2017, as
"Prematurity Awareness Day" in Pennsylvania.
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