CITY OF FRESNO
Office of Mayor Jerry P. Dyer
_____ _________________________________ ____________________________________ LEE BR JERRY P. DYER, Honorable Mayor ANNALISA PEREA, Council President
____ _________________________________ ____________________________________ ESMER MIKE KARBASSI, Council Vice President MIGUEL ARIAS, Councilmember District 3
_____ _________________________________ ____________________________________ TYLER MAXWELL, Councilmember District 4 LUIS CHAVEZ, Councilmember District 5
_____ _________________________________ ____________________________________ GARRY GARRY BREDEFELD, Councilmember District 6 NELSON ESPARZA, Councilmember District 7
WHEREAS, preterm birth – defined as delivery before 37 weeks of pregnancy – is the leading cause of infant mortality in the U.S. Fresno County’s preterm birth rate is is 9.9%, which is one of the highest in California and is well above the state average of 8.99%; and
WHEREAS, decreasing premature birth requires addressing racial and ethnic disparities and access across federal, state, and local governments. For instance, i n 2023 preterm birth among Fresno County’s Black women was 14.4% – well above the 9.3% rate for white women and also above the 9.9% rate for all races; and
WHEREAS, babies who are born prematurely may have an increased chance of experiencing breathing problems, feeding difficulties, cerebral palsy, developmental delay, and vision and hearing problems; and
WHEREAS, doulas are trained non-medical professionals who provide pregnancy support and have been shown to reduce adverse maternal and infant health outcomes among underserved communities. Culturally congruent doula support throughout pregnancy and after labor can increase breastfeeding initiation and duration. They can also reduce preterm birth rates, low-birthweight births, and other preventable infant and maternal mortality risks for women of color; and
WHEREAS, more than 80% of maternal deaths are preventable. The causes of preterm birth s are complex and overlapping, requiring policy changes to improve individual and community health. No woman or child should die of a preventable cause. Improving maternal health and eliminating racial disparities in health outcomes requires a commitment to systematic change.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that we, Mayor Jerry Dyer and Members of the Fresno City Council, do hereby proclaim November 2024 to be:
“Prematurity Awareness Month”
In the City of Fresno.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, we have hereunto set our hands and
affixed the seal of the City of Fresno, California, this 7th day of November 2024.
Marking Prematurity Awareness Month