HR 298 — A Resolution recognizing the month of September 2025 as "Infant Mortality Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania.

PRINTER'S NO.   2242

                  THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA



           HOUSE RESOLUTION
              No. 298
                                              Session of
                                                2025

     INTRODUCED BY CURRY, PIELLI, VENKAT, SAMUELSON, CONKLIN, HILL-
        EVANS, PROBST, GUZMAN, SANCHEZ, VITALI, McNEILL, GIRAL,
        WAXMAN, FREEMAN, HOWARD, GALLAGHER, RIVERA, MAYES, KHAN,
        CEPEDA-FREYTIZ, CERRATO AND HOHENSTEIN, AUGUST 25, 2025

     REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON CHILDREN AND YOUTH, AUGUST 25, 2025


                               A RESOLUTION
 1   Recognizing the month of September 2025 as "Infant Mortality
 2      Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania.
 3      WHEREAS, Infant mortality refers to the number of infant
 4   deaths per 1,000 live births during the first year of life and
 5   is widely considered the barometer by which the health of an
 6   entire population is gauged; and
 7      WHEREAS, Among industrialized countries, the United States is
 8   ranked 29th in the world in infant mortality; and
 9      WHEREAS, In 2023, the infant mortality rate in this
10   Commonwealth was 5.6, meaning nearly six out of every 1,000
11   babies born died before their first birthday; and
12      WHEREAS, Approximately 800 infants died each year in this
13   Commonwealth between 2013 to 2022; and
14      WHEREAS, Black infants consistently have the highest rate of
15   infant mortality; and
16      WHEREAS, Black infants are 3.6 times more likely to die from
17   causes related to low birth weight and 3.2 times more likely to
 1   die from sudden infant death syndrome or the impacts from
 2   maternal complications of pregnancy than White infants; and
 3      WHEREAS, Black mothers are more than twice as likely as White
 4   mothers to receive late or no prenatal care; and
 5      WHEREAS, The infant mortality rate was highest among infants
 6   of mothers 19 years of age or younger and among mothers with a
 7   high school education or less; and
 8      WHEREAS, Prematurity and preterm-related causes have been
 9   identified as the largest contributor to the persistent
10   disparities in infant mortality; and
11      WHEREAS, Preterm birth commonly results from a combination of
12   maternal health issues, pregnancy factors and social or economic
13   disadvantages; and
14      WHEREAS, Interpersonal and structural racism, along with
15   related chronic stress, are also identified risk factors for
16   preterm birth; and
17      WHEREAS, The conditions in the environments where people are
18   born, live, learn, work, play, worship and age impact quality of
19   life and overall health for both infants and their families; and
20      WHEREAS, Up to 80% of the impacts on children's health take
21   place outside medical settings; and
22      WHEREAS, The death of any infant is one too many; therefore
23   be it
24      RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives recognize the
25   month of September 2025 as "Infant Mortality Awareness Month" in
26   Pennsylvania; and be it further
27      RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives urge all
28   residents of this Commonwealth to join in raising awareness
29   about infant mortality and support efforts to reduce infant
30   deaths, low birth weight, preterm births and disparities in

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1   perinatal outcome.




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