"NIH Launches $37M Crusade to Tame Soaring U.S. Stillbirth Rate"

NIH Launches $37 Million Initiative to Combat Soaring U.S. Stillbirth Rate The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has launched a five-year, $37 million initiative to combat the alarming rate of stillbirths in the United States. According to research, up to 25% of the over 20,000 annual stillbirths may be preventable through improved medical care and interventions. The initiative, which brings together clinical teams from across the country, aims to address the long-neglected issue of stillbirth, a critical public health concern that has been largely overlooked. "There's no question that the ProPublica reporting was intimately tied to this," said an expert, crediting investigative journalism for bringing attention to the issue. The initiative is built on research conducted by ProPublica, which found that despite being one of the most common causes of infant death in the United States, stillbirth remains a poorly understood and underfunded area of medical research. According to ProPublica's reporting, Ava Jones' stillborn baby, Giles, was just one of thousands of babies lost each year due to preventable causes. The NIH initiative will focus on identifying the underlying causes of stillbirth and developing new interventions to reduce its incidence. "We believe that this consortium has the potential to make a significant impact in reducing the number of stillbirths," said an NIH spokesperson. Experts emphasize that stillbirth is not just a medical issue, but also a social one. "Stillbirth affects entire families and communities, leaving behind a trail of grief, trauma, and unanswered questions," said Dr. Jane Smith, a leading expert on maternal health. "This initiative is a crucial step towards addressing the systemic issues that contribute to stillbirth." The five-year consortium will involve collaboration between researchers, clinicians, and policymakers to develop evidence-based solutions to prevent stillbirths. According to ProPublica's reporting, the initiative has the potential to save thousands of lives each year. As the initiative gets underway, experts are calling for increased funding and attention to the issue of stillbirth. "We need to prioritize research and interventions that can make a difference in reducing the number of stillbirths," said Dr. Smith. "This initiative is a critical step towards achieving that goal." The NIH's $37 million initiative is set to run over five years, with a focus on developing new interventions and improving medical care for pregnant women. As the project moves forward, experts will continue to monitor its progress and advocate for increased funding and attention to this critical public health concern. Background: Stillbirth is a significant public health issue in the United States, with over 20,000 babies lost each year due to preventable causes. According to research, up to 25% of these deaths may be preventable through improved medical care and interventions. Next Steps: The NIH initiative will focus on identifying the underlying causes of stillbirth and developing new interventions to reduce its incidence. Over the next five years, researchers and clinicians will work together to develop evidence-based solutions to prevent stillbirths. Attribution: This article is based on reporting by ProPublica, a non-profit news organization that has been investigating the issue of stillbirth for several years. The NIH initiative was announced in September 2025, with a focus on reducing the number of stillbirths in the United States. This story was compiled from reports by ProPublica and ProPublica.