In March, Senator Lugar introduced two bills that address health in the U.S., an issue he has supported extensively through legislation and activities promoting preventative health, nutrition and fitness.  The Prevent Prematurity and Improve Child Health Act would expand and coordinate research on the prevention of preterm birth, and the Health Promotion First Act would encourage health promotion research and activities across federal agencies.

Senator Lugar was also recognized for his support of America’s Health Centers with the 2007 Distinguished Community Health Super Hero award.  The award was presented by members of the Indiana Primary Health Care Association prior to the 32nd Annual National Association of Community Health Centers Policy and Issues Forum in Washington, D.C.

Prevent Prematurity and Improve Child Health Act

The “Prevent Prematurity and Improve Child Health Act” would expand and coordinate research on the prevention of preterm birth and the most effective care for preterm babies.

“The rise in premature births throughout the country and in Indiana - despite all of our achievements in medicine - is astounding,” said Senator Lugar.  “Nearly 13 percent of Indiana’s infants are born preterm and in half of the cases, doctors cannot identify the cause.  Prematurity/low birth weight is the leading cause of infant death in the first month of life.”

According to the March of Dimes, 1,367 premature babies are born every day in the United States - one in eight babies – and thirteen babies die every day as a result of prematurity/low birth weight.  Since 1983, premature births in the U.S. have risen nearly 30%. 

“Many of these infants will suffer lifelong health problems—such as cerebral palsy, mental retardation, chronic lung disease, and vision and hearing loss—and some will die,” Senator Lugar said.  “Reducing the number of premature births will improve the health of hundreds of thousands of infants born each year.”

In addition to these human costs, the Institute of Medicine estimates that the medical care services for preterm infants in the U.S. was $16.9 billion in 2005.  The annual societal cost for the same year (medical, educational and lost productivity) from birth through early childhood associated with preterm birth was at least $26.2 billion, according to the Institute of Medicine. 

Senator Lugar’s legislation would improve Medicaid and the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (S-CHIP) to better reflect current knowledge of preterm birth. 

“Medical research tells us that smoking is a considerable risk factor for preterm and low birthweight infants,” said Senator Lugar.  “Our bill takes this knowledge and translates it into practice by ensuring that smoking cessation services and pharmaceuticals are available for pregnant women enrolled in Medicaid.”

Health Promotion FIRST Act

Senator Lugar and Sen. Jeff Bingaman (D-NM) also recently introduced legislation that would strengthen the scientific base of health promotion information in this country.  The bill, Health Promotion FIRST (Funding Integrated Research, Synthesis and Training) Act, is designed to help Americans stay healthy and encourage the federal government to arrange a more comprehensive plan on health promotion research and activities across federal agencies.

The Health Promotion FIRST Act would build the foundation for a coordinated strategy to develop the basic and applied science of health promotion, synthesize research results and disseminate findings to researchers, practitioners and policy makers.

“This legislation can offer us the chance to help Americans live a healthier life,” said Senator Lugar. “Information is a key in living a healthy lifestyle. 

"This bill will allow for additional research, collection and dissemination of critical information, so that individuals, as well as scientists and policy makers, will have the best information upon which to build their health promotion activities.”

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that of all premature deaths in the U.S., nearly half are caused by lifestyle factors.  Studies increasingly show that medical costs are directly related to lifestyle risk factors and related diseases.

Health promotion programs have been successful in helping thousands of people improve practices and avoid disease, in addition to helping employers save money.

Specifically, the bill directs the Department of Health and Human Services to develop strategic plans focusing on the following:

• how to develop the basic and applied science of health promotion;
• how to best utilize the authority and resources of the Department of Health and Human Services and other federal agencies to integrate health promotion concepts into health care and other elements of society;
• how to synthesize health promotion research into practical guidelines that can be easily disseminated; and 
• how to best support and develop the health promotion professional and scientific community.

Senator Lugar is a consistent supporter of legislation and activities that promote fitness, nutrition and health.  Each September, he hosts an annual community run and walk on the campus of Butler University and Health Fair in the ArtsGarden at Circle Centre Mall in Indianapolis.  In addition, he is the only Member of Congress to participate in all 25 Capital Challenge 3-mile races sponsored each spring by the American Council of Life Insurers in Washington, D.C.