Title: A 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.
Policy area: Health

Summary:
This resolution expresses support for National Stillbirth Prevention Day.

[Congressional Bills 117th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 771 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

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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 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 evidence-based 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 authorities 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
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (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.
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