III 

117TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION S. RES. 771 

Supporting the designation of September 19, 2022, 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. 

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 

SEPTEMBER 19, 2022 

Mr. MERKLEY (for himself, Mr. GRASSLEY, Mr. BOOKER, Mr. WYDEN, Mr. 

KING, and Mr. PETERS) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions 

RESOLUTION 

Supporting the designation of September 19, 2022, 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, 23,000 pregnancies in the United States end in 

stillbirth each year, and the COVID–19 pandemic has exacerbated the crisis; 

Whereas racial disparities persist in birth outcomes, with 

Black, Hispanic, 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 


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•SRES 771 IS 

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 a minimum of 7,500 babies every year from preventable stillbirth in the United States, and innovations in 

stillbirth prevention could save thousands of additional 

families in the United States from the heartache of losing 

a baby each year; 

Whereas recognizing ‘‘National Stillbirth Prevention Day’’ is 

an opportunity to increase awareness, support evidencebased prevention efforts, promote research, encourage improved data collection and greater understanding, and 

provide community to those who have experienced stillbirth; and 

Whereas ‘‘National Stillbirth Prevention Day’’ calls on the 

President and all other Federal officials to use their auVerDate Sep 11 2014 23:51 Sep 19, 2022 Jkt 029200 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\SR771.IS SR771

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thorities to reduce stillbirths in the United States by at 

least 33 percent and ensure every expectant family is 

educated on how to reduce the risk of losing a baby to 

stillbirth: Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the Senate— 

2 (1) supports the goals and ideals of ‘‘National 

3 Stillbirth Prevention Day’’; 

4 (2) understands the importance of advancing 

5 evidence-based prevention efforts; and 

6 (3) requests that the President issue a procla7 mation calling upon the people of the United States 

8 to observe National Stillbirth Prevention Day with 

9 appropriate awareness programs and activities. 

Æ 


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