Supporting the designation of September 19, 2025, as "National Stillbirth Prevention and Awareness Day", recognizing tens of thousands of families in the United States that have endured a stillbirth, and seizing the opportunity to keep other families from experiencing the same tragedy.
This resolution designates September 19, 2025, as "National Stillbirth Prevention and Awareness Day" to honor the more than 21,000 families annually who experience stillbirth in the United States and to promote prevention efforts. The resolution highlights the significant public health impact of stillbirths, which exceed deaths from the top five leading causes of death among children under 15 combined. It emphasizes the need for increased awareness, better data collection, evidence-based prevention strategies, and research to reduce the stillbirth rate. The resolution also celebrates the passage of the Maternal and Child Health Stillbirth Prevention Act of 2024 and calls on the President to issue a proclamation encouraging Americans to observe this day with appropriate programs and activities.
Key Points
- 1More than 21,000 pregnancies in the United States end in stillbirth annually, a number that exceeds combined deaths from the top five causes of death for children under 15
- 2Significant racial disparities exist, with Black, American Indian and Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander, and Hispanic families facing the greatest risk
- 3Stillbirths are linked to increased risk of maternal morbidity and mortality for mothers who experience them
- 4The resolution builds on the Maternal and Child Health Stillbirth Prevention Act of 2024, which provides federal resources for stillbirth prevention activities and research
- 5The resolution calls for improved data collection, evidence-based prevention efforts, increased public awareness, and support for affected families