118 HRES 686 IH: Supporting the designation of September 19, 2023, as “National Stillbirth Prevention Day”, recognizing tens of thousands of American families that have endured a stillbirth, and seizing the opportunity to keep other families from experiencing the same tragedy. U.S. House of Representatives 2023-09-14 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

IV118th CONGRESS1st SessionH. RES. 686IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESSeptember 14, 2023Mrs. Hinson (for herself and Ms. Adams) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and CommerceRESOLUTIONSupporting the designation of September 19, 2023, as National Stillbirth Prevention Day, recognizing tens of thousands of American families that have endured a stillbirth, and seizing the opportunity to keep other families from experiencing the same tragedy.

Whereas approximately 21,000 pregnancies in the United States end in stillbirth each year;Whereas racial disparities persist in birth outcomes, with Black, Hispanic, Native Pacific Islander, and Indigenous families at the greatest risk of losing a baby to stillbirth;Whereas, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the annual number of stillbirths far exceeds the number of deaths among children under 15 years of age due to sudden infant death syndrome, car accidents, drowning, guns, fire, poison, and flu combined;Whereas, in the last 2 decades, the stillbirth rate in the United States declined by a negligible 0.4 percent, and in a report published by the World Health Organization comparing progress in improving stillbirth rates, the United States ranked 183 out of 195 countries;Whereas stillbirths are devastating and have a profound and lifelong impact on the families who endure them;Whereas stillbirth is linked to an increased risk of maternal mortality;Whereas, with increased awareness and better data collection, the United States will be able to better understand why stillbirths in the United States are happening at an alarming rate and identify what can be done to combat this crisis;Whereas proven stillbirth prevention efforts have the power to save thousands of babies every year, and innovations in stillbirth prevention could save thousands of additional families nationwide from the heartache of losing a baby every year;Whereas recognizing National Stillbirth Prevention Day is an opportunity to increase awareness, support evidence-based prevention efforts, promote research, encourage improved data collection and greater understanding, and provide support to those who have experienced stillbirth; andWhereas National Stillbirth Prevention Day calls on the President and all other Federal officials to use authority to take action to help reduce stillbirths and to ensure every expectant family is educated on how to reduce the risk of losing a baby to stillbirth: Now, therefore, be it

That the House of Representatives—(1)supports the goals and ideals of National Stillbirth Prevention Day;(2)understands the importance of advancing evidence-based prevention efforts; and(3)requests that the President issue a proclamation calling upon the people of the United States to observe National Stillbirth Prevention Day with appropriate awareness programs and activities.