UNOFFICIAL COPY 24 RS BR 1708
Page 1 of 2
XXXX 1/22/2024 3:08 PM Jacketed
A RESOLUTION recognizing January 23, 2024, as Maternal Mental Health 1
Awareness Day. 2
WHEREAS, the United States ranks highest among industrialized nations in 3
maternal mortality; and 4
WHEREAS, more than 700 women die each year in the United States as a result of 5
pregnancy or delivery complications, and more than one-half of these deaths are 6
preventable; and 7
WHEREAS, while the national maternal mortality rate continues to rise, Kentucky 8
continues to work diligently and successfully to reverse this alarming trend; and 9
WHEREAS, a woman’s maternal mental health condition can be a factor in 10
maternal mortality; and 11
WHEREAS, improved screening alone can reduce the severity of postpartum 12
depression; and 13
WHEREAS, chronic health conditions increase the risk of pregnancy 14
complications, adverse birth outcomes, and pregnancy-related mortality because the 15
physical demands that pregnancy places on the body’s systems can exacerbate existing 16
health conditions; and 17
WHEREAS, more needs to be done to narrow racial and ethnic disparities, 18
especially with black women whose pregnancy-related mortality ratio was four to six 19
times greater than the mortality ratios for women of other racial or ethnic groups; and 20
WHEREAS, maximizing health prior to pregnancy, including but not limited to 21
preventing smoking, improving fitness, reducing sexually transmitted diseases, and 22
promoting positive relationships, can improve maternal mental health; and 23
WHEREAS, addressing the postpartum needs of women through such efforts as 24
postpartum visits, breastfeeding support, and screening for postpartum depression can 25
help improve maternal mental health; and 26
WHEREAS, the Kentucky General Assembly seeks to bring awareness to maternal 27 UNOFFICIAL COPY 24 RS BR 1708
Page 2 of 2
XXXX 1/22/2024 3:08 PM Jacketed
mental health and continue its work to provide positive outcomes for both the mother and 1
the infant; 2
NOW, THEREFORE, 3
Be it resolved by the Senate of the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of 4
Kentucky: 5
Section 1. The members of the Senate hereby recognize January 23, 2024, as 6
Maternal Mental Health Awareness Day. 7