Congresswomen Adams and Hinson Hold Briefing, Introduce National Stillbirth Prevention and Awareness Day Resolution

Image September 16, 2026 Press Release WASHINGTON, D.C . — Today, Congresswomen Alma S. Adams , Ph.D. (NC-12), and Ashley Hinson (IA-02), alongside Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR) , Cory Booker (D-NJ) , and Chuck Grassley (R-IA) introduced the bipartisan, bicameral resolution recognizing September 19, 2026, as National Stillbirth Prevention and Awareness Day. In acknowledgment of the work that needs to be done, and mark the progress made since the Maternal and Child Health Stillbirth Prevention Act passed into law , Congresswomen Adams and Hinson, held a briefing inside the Capitol Building today. Advocates, medical professionals, policy leaders, and parents came to discuss clinical innovations in stillbirth prevention and urge support for the National Stillbirth Prevention and Awareness Day resolution. “It has already taken way too long for Congress to wake up to the tragedy that is our country's stillbirth crisis,” said Congresswoman Adams , co-founder and co-chair of the Black Maternal Health Caucus . “We have made some great progress, but there is so much more to be done. We already have many innovative solutions to reduce stillbirth — our country just hasn't invested in them at a national scale. We can, and we must do better for our moms.” “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,” said Congresswoman Ashley Hinson. “Getting my Maternal and Child Health Stillbirth Prevention Act signed into law 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.” “Nearly five thousand babies’ lives could be saved annually through greater focus on stillbirth prevention efforts,” said Healthy Birth Day CEO, Emily Price . “National Stillbirth Prevention & Awareness Day is an opportunity to address the urgent stillbirth crisis in the U.S. and share free resources and tools like Count the Kicks which are saving lives. Our message to the country: it doesn't have to be this way.” The Maternal and Child Health Stillbirth Prevention Act, bipartisan legislation signed into law in July 2024 , clarified that Maternal and Child Health Services Block Grant funds could be used to support stillbirth prevention activities and research. This year, Congresswomen Adams and Hinson secured $1 million in a Fiscal Year 2027 appropriations bill for the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) to provide ongoing assistance to support states’ stillbirth prevention activities. Medical advances over the last 30 years have led to a decline in late term stillbirths, but the rate of decline is slowing . Stillbirth remains a significant public health crisis in the United States, with tens of thousands of families affected each year and Black, Native, and Hispanic communities experiencing disproportionately higher rates. Research suggests a substantial share of stillbirths may be preventable through improved awareness, screening, and access to care. “Every parent who experiences a stillbirth deserves support and clear action. Stillbirth remains a heartbreaking and preventable public health crisis, with Black, Native, and Hispanic families facing disproportionately high rates of loss,” said Senator Merkley. “Getting my Maternal and Child Health Stillbirth Prevention Act signed into law was an important first step, but we cannot let up. This National Stillbirth Prevention and Awareness Day, we must keep pushing for necessary action to save lives and spare families this devastating loss.” “Every year, more than 20,000 families in the United States experience a stillbirth, and too many of these losses may be preventable,” said Senator Booker. “Losing a baby to stillbirth is devastating, and on National Stillbirth Prevention and Awareness Day, we stand with the families who have experienced this profound loss and recommit ourselves to preventing stillbirth wherever possible. By investing in research, improving data collection, raising awareness, and strengthening access to high-quality maternal health care, we can better understand the causes of stillbirth, reduce preventable losses, and support healthier pregnancies.” “No family should have to endure the heartbreak of a stillbirth. While states like Iowa have made progress at reducing stillbirths, there’s still much more to be done to strengthen maternal healthcare, especially in rural areas, to help prevent these tragedies. Our bipartisan resolution raises awareness and promotes research to help target contributing factors and save babies’ lives,” said Senator Grassley. National Stillbirth Prevention and Awareness Day serves as an opportunity to recognize affected families, highlight the work of advocacy organizations, and reinforce the need for sustained federal investment in stillbirth prevention efforts and maternal and child health research and services. Issues : Black Maternal Health Health Care Women