WASHINGTON – Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa)
and Rep. Ashley Hinson (R-Iowa) introduced a
bipartisan resolution recognizing today, September 19, as National Stillbirth Prevention
Day. The resolution seeks to lower the stillbirth rate in the U.S. by raising
awareness of the cause of stillbirth. Grassley and Hinson were joined by Sens.
Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) and Cory Booker (D-N.J.) along with Rep. Alma Adams
(D-N.C.).
“The stillbirth rate in the United States
is unacceptably high, and it’s clear we must do more to protect mothers and
children from this heartbreaking tragedy. In recognizing National Stillbirth
Prevention Day, we’re calling on the Biden administration to leverage federal
resources to reduce the stillbirth rate by improving data collection,
supporting evidence-based prevention efforts and improving our understanding of
stillbirth causes. I’ve previously led efforts to support at-risk pregnant
women and families, including through the Maternal, Infant and Early Childhood
Home Visiting Program, and I’ll continue working with my colleagues to help
expectant families,” Grassley said.
Grassley met with Iowans from Happy Birth
Day, Inc. earlier today to discuss the resolution.
“My heart goes out to any woman or family
who has endured the tragedy of a stillbirth. The stillbirth rate in the United
States is unacceptably high, especially for low-income and rural moms, and we
must do more to help them have healthy pregnancies. Designating today as
National Stillbirth Prevention Day is an important bipartisan action to prevent
stillbirths and support expecting moms through their pregnancy, regardless of
their income level or where they live,” Hinson said.
An alarming 23,000 babies are stillborn
every year in the United States. While the rate of stillbirth has declined
since the 1940s due to improvements in maternity care, that decline has slowed
or halted in recent years. Stillbirths increase the risk of maternal mortality
and morbidity and negatively impact parental mental health and family
wellbeing.
In a report comparing progress in
improving stillbirth rates, the World Health Organization (WHO) found the U.S.
ranks 183 out of 195 countries. The bipartisan, bicameral resolution calls on
the Biden administration to begin working to reduce the stillbirth rate by at
least 33 percent.
Full text of the resolution is available
HERE.
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