HR0526 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0526 LRB099 12575 GRL 36114 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Infant mortality refers to the death of a baby before it reaches its first birthday; and

WHEREAS, Illinois ranks 29th among the 50 states in infant mortality rates; in 2014, the Illinois infant mortality rate reached 6.2 deaths per 1,000 live births, which has remained relatively unchanged since 2010; and

WHEREAS, The current infant mortality rate is a significant and troubling public health issue, especially for African American families, Native American families, and Hispanic families; and

WHEREAS, The infant mortality rate among African American women is triple that of Caucasian women, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health; and

WHEREAS, The Illinois Department of Public Health and other stakeholders in the Collaborative Improvement and Innovation Network to Reduce Infant Mortality are committed to addressing infant mortality by focusing on preconception and interconception health, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, social determinants of health, early elective delivery, and perinatal regionalization; and

WHEREAS, A set of goals and objectives with 10-year targets designed to guide national health promotion and disease prevention, known as Healthy People 2020, include an objective regarding a decrease in the rate of infant mortality; and

WHEREAS, September 1, 2015 will begin a period of several months of national and state observances that relate to the issue of infant mortality, including the observance of October as Sudden Infant Death Awareness Month and November as Prematurity Awareness Month; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we designate September of 2015 as Infant Mortality Awareness Month in the State of Illinois and applaud the Illinois Department of Public Health's mission to reduce infant mortality; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be delivered to the Illinois Department of Public Health, the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services, the Illinois Department of Human Services, the Office of the Governor, and the Speaker and Minority Leader of the House of Representatives.