NIH Launches Multimillion-Dollar Initiative to Reduce U.S. Stillbirth Rate
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has launched a five-year, $37 million consortium to research stillbirth, a long-neglected public health concern that affects thousands of families each year. The initiative aims to reduce the country's unacceptably high stillbirth rate by identifying and addressing underlying causes.
According to Dr. Jennifer S. Read, Director of the NIH's Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), "There is no question that the ProPublica reporting was intimately tied to this initiative." The consortium will bring together clinical teams from across the country to investigate stillbirth, with a focus on prevention.
The U.S. stillbirth rate has remained stubbornly high, with over 20,000 cases reported annually. Research suggests that as many as 25 of these cases may be preventable. Ava Jones, whose son Giles was stillborn in 2019, is among the families affected by this issue. She shared her story with ProPublica, highlighting the need for greater attention and research.
The NIH's initiative builds on previous efforts to address stillbirth, including a 2020 report from the NICHD that identified several key areas for improvement. These include better prenatal care, improved fetal monitoring, and enhanced support for families affected by stillbirth.
Dr. Nitashia Johnson, an expert in maternal-fetal medicine, noted that "stillbirth is often seen as a rare event, but it's actually a significant public health concern." The NIH consortium will provide critical funding to support research into the causes of stillbirth and develop effective prevention strategies.
The five-year initiative will involve multiple institutions and researchers working together to advance our understanding of stillbirth. This collaborative approach has the potential to drive meaningful change and reduce the number of families affected by this tragedy.
As the NIH consortium gets underway, advocates for stillbirth research are cautiously optimistic about the prospects for progress. "This is a critical moment in the fight against stillbirth," said Dr. Read. "We have a unique opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of families across the country."
The initiative's success will depend on the ability of researchers and clinicians to work together effectively, share data, and develop evidence-based solutions. As the consortium moves forward, it is likely that new research findings and prevention strategies will emerge, ultimately reducing the number of stillbirths in the U.S.
Background:
Stillbirth, or fetal death after 20 weeks gestation, affects thousands of families each year in the United States. Despite its prevalence, stillbirth remains a poorly understood phenomenon, with many cases attributed to unknown causes. The NIH's initiative aims to change this by investing in research and prevention strategies.
Additional Perspectives:
Dr. Johnson emphasized that "stillbirth is not just a medical issue, but also a social one." She noted that addressing the root causes of stillbirth will require a comprehensive approach that involves healthcare providers, policymakers, and families affected by this tragedy.
The NIH consortium's focus on prevention is critical to reducing the number of stillbirths. By identifying and addressing underlying risk factors, researchers can help prevent some cases of stillbirth from occurring in the first place.
Current Status:
The NIH consortium has officially launched, with multiple institutions and researchers already involved. The initiative will provide critical funding for research into stillbirth prevention and support families affected by this tragedy.
As the consortium moves forward, it is likely that new research findings and prevention strategies will emerge, ultimately reducing the number of stillbirths in the U.S.
*Reporting by Propublica.*
