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