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When compared with 195 countries globally, the United States ranked 183rd in the annual rate of reduction of stillbirths from 2000 and 2019, leaving only 13 countries with a lower stillbirth rate reduction than the U.S. Despite the high number of stillbirths in the United States, there have been limited efforts to address the issue.

U.S. Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL), Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ), and colleagues reintroduced the Stillbirth Health Improvement and Education (SHINE) for Autumn Act to better understand stillbirths in the United States through investment in research and data collection. Additionally, this bill would allocate grants to states to improve data collection and better track risk factors associated with stillbirth by strengthening state public health data systems and processes. 

• “The U.S. stillbirth rate is unacceptable and must be addressed. Losing a child is an unimaginable tragedy, and we should use all resources available to prevent this devastating loss of life. I am proud to reintroduce this bipartisan legislation that would employ resources to significantly lower the number of stillborn babies in the United States.”   – Senator Rubio

• “It is unacceptable that despite being the wealthiest country in the world, the United States continues to see high stillbirth rates, resulting in thousands of families grappling with the unthinkable. We must do more to address this crisis by raising awareness and ensuring our health care providers have the resources they need to address preventable deaths. This bipartisan legislation is an important step to improve data collection on stillbirth and enhance research, training, and awareness to help put an end to this crisis.” – Senator Booker

Senators Steve Daines (R-MT), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Bob Casey (D-PA) and Dan Sullivan (R-AK) are original cosponsors of this legislation. 

U.S. Representatives Young Kim (R-CA) and Kathy Castor (D-FL) introduced companion legislation in the House. 

• “As a mom and grandma, I experienced the hardships of pregnancy firsthand and recently grieved with one of my daughters through the pain of losing a baby. Helping moms, moms-to-be, and their babies is personal to me. Each pregnancy faces unique challenges, and at least 1 in every 4 stillbirths is preventable. The SHINE for Autumn Act will help us gain the research, resources, and education needed to prevent stillbirths, support our health workforce, and help women have healthy pregnancies. I am proud to lead this commonsense bill that will positively impact moms and families, and I’ll keep fighting for maternal health care solutions as co-chair of the Maternity Care Caucus.” – Congresswoman Kim

• “Together we can address the serious maternal and infant health crisis that is tearing families apart and causing significant pain and trauma. Long-standing disparities among racial and ethnic groups persist, with Black women more than twice as likely to experience stillbirth as White women. With nearly one out of every four stillbirths estimated to be preventable, we need real change that will lead to measurable improvements in outcomes for mothers and babies. I’m thankful to my bipartisan colleagues, Reps. Kim, Kelly, and Joyce for joining me in reintroducing the SHINE for Autumn Act – legislation I’ve fought to pass for years to reduce the stillbirths in America.” – Congresswoman Castor

A full list of endorsing organizations can be found here.

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March 2022: Rubio, Booker Introduce Legislation to Reduce Stillbirths