Merkley, Booker, Grassley, Hinson, and Adams Highlight Need for Stillbirth Prevention and Awareness

Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Cory Booker (D-NJ), and Chuck Grassley (R-IA) teamed up with U.S. Representatives Ashley Hinson (R-IA-02) and Alma S. Adams, Ph.D. (D-NC-12) to introduce a bipartisan, bicameral resolution recognizing September 19, 2025, as National Stillbirth Prevention and Awareness Day. With at least 25 percent of stillbirths being potentially preventable, this resolution stresses the importance of advancing evidence-based stillbirth prevention efforts in the United States.

"A single stillbirth is one too many, and we must do more to reduce the alarming rate of stillbirth, which devastates families and happens at a higher rate to Black, Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander, American Indian, and Alaska Native women," said Merkley. "Getting my Maternal and Child Health Stillbirth Prevention Act signed into law was an important first step; and on this National Stillbirth Prevention and Awareness Day, we recommit to doing everything we can to end this dire public health crisis, so no family has to experience the trauma of stillbirth."

"Nobody should have to experience the immense sorrow of losing a baby," said Booker. "We must address the maternal and infant health crisis that continues to result in thousands of families grappling with the unthinkable every year in the United States. This National Stillbirth Prevention Day, we are recommitting ourselves in Congress to raising awareness about stillbirth and ensuring every mom and baby has the care they need so we can save lives."

"Each year, 21,000 babies are stillborn in the United States, bringing devastation to parents and families. We can and must do more to save babies' lives and improve pre-natal care. Our resolution raises awareness of stillbirths and emphasizes how federal resources can empower the medical communities' work on evidence-based practices to prevent these tragedies," said Grassley.

"Improving prenatal education and access to maternal care-especially in rural areas where women may travel over an hour to see a provider-is critical to protecting babies and reducing maternal deaths. Passing my Maternal and Child Health Stillbirth Act last year was a major step, but more must be done to support expecting moms and prevent stillbirths. I'm proud to reintroduce this resolution recognizing September 19th as National Stillbirth Prevention and Awareness Day and will continue working across the aisle to end the tragedy of stillbirth," said Hinson.

"For too long, stillbirth has been a silent crisis that remains under-discussed, under-researched, and under-funded. Today's resolution seeks to change that," said Adams. "I'm proud to introduce the National Stillbirth Prevention and Awareness Day resolution so more families can be given the information and resources they need to prevent stillbirth in their pregnancies. Together, we can bring an end to this public health crisis and better protect the health of our mothers and their children."

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one out of every 175 U.S. births tragically results in a stillbirth-accounting for more than 21,000 stillbirths a year, and more stillbirths annually than the number of babies who pass away during their first year of life. In the last two decades, the stillbirth rate in the United States declined by a negligible 0.4 percent. In a report published by the World Health Organization comparing progress in improving stillbirth rates, the United States ranked 183 out of 195 countries.

In the Senate, the resolution is cosponsored by U.S. Senators Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Angus King (I-ME), Steve Daines (R-MT), and Ron Wyden (D-OR).

Support for the resolution also comes from Healthy Birth Day Inc., 1st Breath, Matties Memory Inc, In the Arms of Jesus Comfort + Advocacy, The Little Timmy Project, Measure the Placenta, PUSH for Empowered Pregnancy, Reproductive and Placental Research Unit-Yale University, Jace's Journey, Maternal Mental Health Leadership Alliance, Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Miles' Mission, American College of Nurse-Midwives, Aaliyah in Action, Start Healing Together, Society for Reproductive Investigation, Mera's Mission, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Gifts from Liam, March of Dimes, and Return to Zero: HOPE.

"For the fourth year in a row, we pause to recognize the crisis of stillbirth in this country and celebrate progress on stillbirth prevention efforts. When Congress recognizes this important day, when buildings and bridges are lit up across the country, and moms and dads make their voices heard by sharing their personal stories of loss - progress happens and lives are saved. We mourn the tens of thousands of babies who should be with their families right now and accelerate progress so no other family has to endure the tragedy of stillbirth," said Emily Price, Healthy Birth Day, Inc. CEO.

Last year, the bipartisan Maternal and Child Health Stillbirth Prevention Act-led by Merkley and Cassidy in the Senate and Hinson and Adams in the House-was signed into law by President Biden to help save the lives of mothers and babies across America. Senators Booker, Merkley, Daines, and Roger Wicker (R-MS) also lead the Stillbirth Health Improvement and Education (SHINE) for Autumn Act. This legislation would improve data collection, research, education, and public awareness around stillbirth.

The full text of the resolution can be found by clicking here.

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