On the recordApril 6, 2011
The first week of April is National Public Health Week. This year's theme, ``Safety is No Accident: Live Injury-Free,'' highlights the fact that, each year, nearly 30 million people in our country are injured severely enough to require emergency room treatment. Of those injured, 150,000 die from these unintentional and often preventable injuries, which are ranked among the top 10 causes of death of those between the ages of 1 and 44. In addition to the devastating impact on families and communities, these injuries account for 12 percent of annual medical spending in the United States, totaling as much as $65 billion each year. These statistics highlight a critical public health challenge for the 21st century. For that reason, I introduced H. Res. 187, which recognizes the first week of April as National Public Health Week, and it calls on all Americans to take a proactive approach to addressing injuries in our country. I urge my colleagues to cosponsor H. Res. 187. ____________________
