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HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION 111

 
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 we urge the Perinatal Advisory
16 Committee within the Illinois Department of Public Health to
17 investigate how Illinois can reduce the incidence of preterm
18 births in Illinois; and be it further
 
19     RESOLVED, That the Perinatal Advisory Committee shall
20 consult with a representative of the Illinois Department of
21 Human Services, a representative of the Illinois Department of
22 Healthcare and Family Services, a representative of an

 

 

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1 organization whose main focus is on preterm births; 2 members
2 of the Illinois House of Representatives, one of whom shall be
3 named by the Speaker of the House, and one of whom shall be
4 named by the Minority Leader of the House; and 2 members of the
5 Senate, one of whom shall be named by the President of the
6 Senate and one of whom shall be named by the Minority Leader of
7 the Senate; and be it further;
 
8     RESOLVED, That the Perinatal Advisory Committee shall, in a
9 written report that is to be delivered to the General Assembly
10 on or before November 1, 2012, make findings and
11 recommendations concerning reducing preterm births in
12 Illinois; and be it further
 
13     RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be presented to
14 the Director of the Department of Public Health.