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1
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION

 
2     WHEREAS, Nearly one in 8 babies born in Illinois is born
3 preterm, 13.3% of Illinois babies in total; and
 
4     WHEREAS, The percentage of preterm births in Illinois has
5 increased by 15%; and
 
6     WHEREAS, The rate of preterm births in Illinois is highest
7 for African-American infants (19.3%) followed by Native
8 Americans (15.6%), Hispanics (12.1%), Caucasians (11.9%) and
9 Asians (10.7%); and
 
10     WHEREAS, African-American infants (19.3%) are about two
11 times as likely as Asian infants (10.7%) to be born preterm;
12 and
 
13     WHEREAS, Major risk factors for preterm and very preterm
14 births include multiple births, history of preterm delivery,
15 stress, infection, smoking, and illicit drug use; and
 
16     WHEREAS, In the United States, preterm birth or low birth
17 weight is the 2nd leading cause of all infant deaths during the
18 first year of life and the leading cause of infant deaths among
19 African-American infants; and
 

 

 

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1     WHEREAS, The global toll of preterm births is severe; and
2 an estimated 28% of the 4 million annual neonatal deaths are
3 due to preterm births; and
 
4     WHEREAS, Children born preterm have higher rates of
5 learning disabilities, cerebral palsy, sensory deficits, and
6 respiratory illnesses compared to children born at term; and
 
7     WHEREAS, To be most effective, preventive strategies
8 should involve strengthening existing reproductive, maternal,
9 newborn, and child health care programs to encourage synergies
10 of preterm birth care while, at the same time, stimulating
11 fresh thinking and innovative new approaches to prevention;
12 therefore, be it
 
13     RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
14 NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE
15 SENATE CONCURRING HEREIN, that a task force shall be created to
16 investigate how Illinois can reduce the incidence of preterm
17 births in Illinois; and be it further
 
18     RESOLVED, That the task force shall be composed of the
19 Director of Public Health, or his or her designee, who shall
20 serve as the Chair of the task force; 2 members of the State
21 Board of Health; the Director of the Maternal and Child Health
22 Advisory Board; a neonatologist; a social worker; a preemie

 

 

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1 nurse; a representative of an organization whose main focus is
2 on preterm births; 2 members of the Illinois House of
3 Representatives, one of whom shall be named by the Speaker of
4 the House, and one of whom shall be named by the Minority
5 Leader of the House; and 2 members of the Senate, one of whom
6 shall be named by the President of the Senate and one of whom
7 shall be named by the Minority Leader of the Senate; and be it
8 further
 
9     RESOLVED, That the Illinois Department of Public Health
10 shall provide or work with stakeholders to provide logistical
11 and support staff to the task force; and be it further
 
12     RESOLVED, That the task force shall, in a written report
13 that is to be delivered to the General Assembly on or before
14 November 1, 2011, make findings and recommendations concerning
15 reducing preterm births in Illinois; and be it further
 
16     RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be presented to
17 the Director of the Department of Public Health.