Expressing support for the designation of April 7, 2025, as "World Health Day" and recognizing the importance of prioritizing public health nationally and globally.
This is a non-binding House resolution (H. Res. 298) introduced in the 119th Congress. It expresses formal support for designating April 7, 2025, as World Health Day and emphasizes the importance of prioritizing public health both in the United States and globally. The resolution aligns with the World Health Organization’s theme for World Health Day, “Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures,” which centers on maternal and newborn health. It also highlights broader public-health concerns such as access to care, health disparities, mental health, and the safety and recognition of health care workers. While it references various public health challenges and aims to raise awareness, the measure is symbolic and does not create new policies or funding.
Key Points
- 1The resolution expresses support for designating April 7, 2025, as World Health Day and acknowledges the WHO’s theme focusing on maternal and newborn health and overall health systems.
- 2It notes that the cost of care and access to care have been longstanding major issues in the U.S. health system, and that neglect of public health can harm the social and economic stability of the nation; it also cites CDC data indicating life expectancy in the U.S. has been declining since 2019, with maternal and infant mortality among contributing factors.
- 3The bill highlights the importance of high-quality health care for women and families before, during, and after birth, and calls for health systems to evolve to address maternal, newborn, and health needs of marginalized communities.
- 4It points out that lack of access to quality health care disproportionately affects children, seniors, and people of color in poorer and more marginalized areas, and it mentions the underrepresentation of people of color in clinical trials as a factor in health disparities.
- 5It emphasizes the critical role and safety of health care workers, noting that a substantial share face violence and that their labor should be recognized and protected; it also recognizes that mental health is part of overall health and that stigma can deter people from seeking care; and it calls for interagency coordination to protect and promote the health of children and families.