HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

151st GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 86

RECOGNIZING MAY 22, 2022, AS WORLD PREECLAMPSIA DAY.

WHEREAS, preeclampsia is a serious disease related to high blood pressure that can strike quickly and happen to any pregnant woman during the second half of her pregnancy or up to six weeks after delivery; finding preeclampsia early is important for both mothers and their babies; and

WHEREAS, preeclampsia and other hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDPs) are the leading cause of maternal and infant death worldwide; approximately 76,000 maternal and 500,000 infant deaths occur every year as a result of HDPs; and

WHEREAS, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy are also a leading cause of maternal and infant illness; preeclampsia is a common cause of caregiver-initiated preterm delivery and accounts for approximately 20 percent of all intensive care unit admissions of newborn babies; and

WHEREAS, for mothers, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy can cause complications with long-lasting consequences, such as stroke; hypertensive disorders of pregnancy are strongly associated with a heightened risk of future cardiovascular disease, the leading non-communicable disease (NCD) worldwide; and

WHEREAS, too many lives are taken or seriously affected by hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, which is especially true in countries where access to care is limited; with no known cause, the need for basic and clinical research to advance our medical understanding and healthcare practices must be prioritized.

NOW, THEREFORE:

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the 151st General Assembly of the State of Delaware, the Senate concurring therein, that we recognize World Preeclampsia Day on May 22, 2022.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that we support World Preeclampsia Day and its initiative to raise awareness of preeclampsia and its global impact on the lives of mothers, babies, and families.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that we support all efforts that call upon governments and health systems to recognize the importance of detecting and diagnosing risk factors and preventing and treating hypertensive pregnancy disorders, that encourage additional research funding into preeclampsia and related disorders, that prioritize patient and community education and treatment for these disorders, that prioritize education, training, and access to medical resources for healthcare providers, that address prevention through a better understanding of the causes, and that encourage collaboration and partnerships between public and private sector organizations to support and advance these goals.

SYNOPSIS

This Resolution recognizes World Preeclampsia Day on May 22, 2022.