S.Res. 429

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 429 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]

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119th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. RES. 429

Designating September 2025 as ``National Infant Mortality Awareness 
Month'', raising awareness of infant mortality, and increasing efforts 
to reduce infant mortality.

_______________________________________________________________________

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

September 30, 2025

Mrs. Hyde-Smith (for herself and Mr. Ossoff) submitted the following 
resolution; which was considered and agreed to

_______________________________________________________________________

RESOLUTION

Designating September 2025 as ``National Infant Mortality Awareness 
Month'', raising awareness of infant mortality, and increasing efforts 
to reduce infant mortality.

Whereas the term ``infant mortality'' refers to the death of a baby before the 
first birthday of the baby;
Whereas the United States ranks 33rd out of the 38 countries in the Organisation 
for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) for infant mortality 
rate, with 5.4 deaths per 1,000 live births;
Whereas high rates of infant mortality are especially prevalent in African 
American, Native American, Alaskan Native, Latino, Asian, and Hawaiian 
and other Pacific Islander communities, communities with high rates of 
unemployment and poverty, and communities with limited access to medical 
providers;
Whereas premature birth and low birth weight are leading causes of infant 
mortality;
Whereas the United States spends nearly twice as much on health care as other 
OECD countries;
Whereas infant mortality can be substantially reduced through community-based 
services, such as outreach, home visitation, care coordination, health 
education, interconceptional care, and paternal involvement;
Whereas support for community-based programs to reduce infant mortality may 
result in lower future spending on medical interventions, special 
education, and other social services that may be needed for infants and 
children born with a low birth weight;
Whereas the Department of Health and Human Services has implemented the Newborn 
Supply Kit program;
Whereas the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) provides 
information that is vital to addressing preterm birth rates and 
conditions that put babies at risk;
Whereas the Maternal and Child Health Bureau Healthy Start program has invested 
in communities facing high rates of infant mortality and maternal 
illness to improve health outcomes before, during, and after pregnancy;
Whereas the Advisory Committee on Infant Mortality provides advice and 
recommendations to the Secretary of Health and Human Services on 
improving the health status of infants and pregnant women and on a 
national strategy for reducing infant mortality;
Whereas the Secretary of Health and Human Services is encouraged to partner with 
educational institutions and States to increase maternal health and 
infant health initiatives; and
Whereas public awareness and education campaigns on infant mortality are held 
during the month of September each year: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate--
(1) designates September 2025 as ``National Infant 
Mortality Awareness Month'';
(2) supports efforts--
(A) to educate people in the United States about 
infant mortality and the factors that contribute to 
infant mortality; and
(B) to reduce infant deaths, low birth weight, pre-
term births, and disparities in perinatal outcomes;
(3) recognizes the critical importance of including efforts 
to reduce infant mortality and the factors that contribute to 
infant mortality as part of prevention and wellness strategies; 
and
(4) calls on the people of the United States to observe 
National Infant Mortality Awareness Month with appropriate 
programs and activities.
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