2019 -- S 0874

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2019

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S E N A T E   R E S O L U T I O N

COMMEMORATING AND CELEBRATING "NATIONAL WOMEN’S HEALTH WEEK" IN

THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND FROM MAY 12 THROUGH MAY 18, 2019

     

     Introduced By: Senators Goldin, Gallo, Morgan, Quezada, and Ruggerio

     Date Introduced: May 14, 2019

     Referred To: Recommended for Immediate Consideration

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     WHEREAS, Every Rhode Islander should have the opportunity to live the healthiest life

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possible, in the healthiest community possible. One’s ZIP code, gender identity, race, ethnicity,

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language, sexual orientation, disability status, religion, occupation, income, age, or level of

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education should not determine one’s health; and

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     WHEREAS, Up to eighty percent of health outcomes are determined outside the doctor’s

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office, inside our communities. The conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work, and

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play can shape health in profound and long-lasting ways; and

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     WHEREAS, The Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) is committed to

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advancing health equity, so that every Rhode Islander in every community has a fair and just

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opportunity for good health; and

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     WHEREAS, Women are the custodians of family health and play a critical role in

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maintaining the overall well-being of their families and communities. However, because of the

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many roles women play as primary caregivers, providers, spouses, mothers, and grandmothers, all

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too often women neglect their own health needs; and

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     WHEREAS, Women of color have experienced glaring health disparities, and have

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disproportionately higher rates of diabetes, obesity, heart disease, hypertension, and certain forms

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of cancer; and

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     WHEREAS, Advancing women’s health equity requires removing obstacles to health

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such as poverty, racism, discrimination, and their consequences, including powerlessness and

 

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lack of access to good jobs with fair pay, quality education and housing, and safe environments;

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and

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     WHEREAS, Annually, during National Women's Health Week, millions of women take

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steps to improve their health. The week serves as a reminder for women to make their health a

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priority and build positive health habits for life; and

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     WHEREAS, The 20th annual National Women's Health Week kicks off on Mother's Day,

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May 12, and is celebrated through May 18, 2019. The United States Department of Health and

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Human Services' Office on Women’s Health leads National Women’s Health Week to encourage

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all women to be as healthy as possible; and

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     WHEREAS, The Rhode Island Department of Health’s Health Equity Institute, in

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partnership with Sista Fire, invites community members across the State to shine a spotlight on

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the many factors that adversely affect women’s health, form partnerships to create a healthier

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state for all, and foster social and multi-cultural connectedness among women across Rhode

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Island; now, therefore be it

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     RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations

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hereby commemorates and celebrates “National Women’s Health Week” from May 12 through

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May 18, 2019, and encourages all Rhode Islanders to support efforts to make women’s health and

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equity a shared priority; and be it further

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     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

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transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to the Honorable Donald J. Trump, President of

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the United States, Gina M. Raimondo, Governor of the State of Rhode Island, the Rhode Island

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Congressional Delegation, and Nicole Alexander-Scott, MD, MPH, Director, Rhode Island

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Department of Health.

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