Cohen Authors Resolution Recognizing National Infant Mortality Awareness Month

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Steve Cohen (D-TN-9) recently authored legislation to recognize the goals and ideals of National Infant Mortality Awareness Month – observed every September.

“The United States is a leader in providing quality health care and yet we have one of the highest rates of infant mortality,” said Congressman Cohen. “It is a heart-wrenching tragedy that in Memphis African-American babies die at a rate three times the nation’s average. We must continue to work together to lower the infant mortality rate in Memphis and across the country through education, interconceptional care and community-based services.”

Below is a copy of the resolution authored by Congressman Cohen:

Expressing support for the goals and ideals of National Infant Mortality Awareness Month 2010.

Whereas infant mortality refers to the death of a baby before his or her first birthday;

Whereas the United States ranks 29th among industrialized nations in the rate of infant mortality;

Whereas premature birth, low-birth weight, and shorter gestation periods account for more than 60 percent of infant deaths in the United States;

Whereas high rates of infant mortality are especially prevalent in communities with large minority populations, high rates of unemployment and poverty, and limited access to safe housing and medical providers;

Whereas premature birth is a leading cause of infant mortality and, according to the Institute of Medicine, costs the United States more than $26,000,000,000 annually;

Whereas infant mortality rates can be substantially reduced through community-based services such as outreach, home visitation, case management, health education, and interconceptional care;

Whereas support for community-based programs to reduce infant mortality can result in lower future spending on medical interventions, special education, and other social services that may be needed for infants and children who are born with a low-birth weight;

Whereas the United States Department of Health and Human Services, through the Office of Minority Health, has implemented the ‘‘A Healthy Baby Begins With You’’ campaign;

Whereas the Maternal and Child Health Bureau of the Health Resources and Services Administration has provided national leadership on this issue;

Whereas public awareness and education campaigns on infant mortality are held during the month of September 2010; and

Whereas September 2010 has been designated as National Infant Mortality Awareness Month: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the House of Representatives—

(1) supports the goals and ideals of National Infant Mortality Awareness Month 2010;

(2) supports efforts to educate Americans about infant mortality and its contributing factors;

(3) supports efforts to reduce infant deaths, low-birth weight, pre-term births, and disparities in perinatal outcomes;

(4) recognizes the critical importance of including efforts to reduce infant mortality and its contributing factors as part of prevention and wellness strategies; and

(5) calls upon the people of the United States to observe National Infant Mortality Awareness Month during September 2010 with appropriate programs and activities.