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NIH Launches $37 Million Initiative to Combat Stillbirth Crisis
Table of Contents
- 1. NIH Launches $37 Million Initiative to Combat Stillbirth Crisis
- 2. A Multi-State Collaborative Approach
- 3. Addressing the Aftermath & Data Gaps
- 4. A Shift in National Awareness
- 5. Expert Insights & Future Directions
- 6. Frequently Asked Questions About Stillbirth
- 7. Understanding Stillbirth: A Lasting Impact
- 8. What specific biomarkers are being targeted for discovery to predict risk of stillbirth and neonatal complications?
- 9. National institutes of Health Initiates Multimillion-Dollar Initiative to Prevent Stillbirths and Improve Neonatal Outcomes
- 10. Understanding the Scope of the initiative
- 11. Core Research Areas & Funding Allocation
- 12. Key Focus Areas: Specific Conditions Targeted
- 13. Benefits of the NIH Initiative
- 14. Practical Implications for Healthcare Providers
- 15. Real-World Example: The Role of the Collaborative Pediatric critical Care Research Network (CPCCRN)
- 16. Resources for Expectant Parents & Healthcare Professionals
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has announced a critically important $37 million, five-year consortium to reduce the rate of stillbirths across the United States, a move applauded by researchers and families impacted by these losses. This initiative addresses a long-standing public health concern, wiht the NIH acknowledging the current rate as ‘unacceptably high.’
The proclamation, made last week, signals a major commitment from the agency to prioritize research and prevention efforts related to stillbirth, defined as the death of a fetus at or after 20 weeks of gestation.
Alison Cernich,Acting Director of the NIH’s Eunice Kennedy Shriver National institute of Child Health and Human Development,emphasized the importance of community involvement. “What we’re really excited about is not onyl the investment in trying to prevent stillbirth, but also continuing that work with the community to guide the research,” she stated.
A Multi-State Collaborative Approach
The consortium will bring together four clinical sites and one data coordinating center located in California, Oregon, Utah, New York, and North carolina. Each site will leverage its unique expertise to tackle different aspects of stillbirth prevention, with a shared focus on prediction, intervention, and support for bereaved families. Research indicates that up to 25% of stillbirths may be preventable, with that figure rising to nearly 50% for deliveries at or beyond 37 weeks of gestation, according to data published in PLoS Medicine.
| State | Lead Institution | Focus Area |
|---|---|---|
| California | University of California San Diego | Placental Function & Fetal Growth |
| Oregon | Oregon Health & Science University | Stress, Nutrition, & Heart Health |
| utah | university of Utah Health | Thorough Stillbirth Prevention |
| New York | Columbia University | Biomarker Identification & Risk Assessment |
| North Carolina | Data Coordinating Center | Data Standardization & Analysis |
The inaugural meeting of the consortium is scheduled for Friday, where research priorities will be discussed. Proposed areas of investigation include the underlying causes of placental failure, identifying markers of decreased fetal movement, optimizing delivery timing, and utilizing advanced technologies, such as blood tests, biomarkers, and ultrasound, for earlier and more accurate risk prediction. Furthermore, the potential of electronic health records and artificial intelligence in identifying at-risk pregnancies will be explored. Consortium representatives stated they intend to analyze the impact of racial disparities in stillbirth rates as part of their research.
Addressing the Aftermath & Data Gaps
Many families affected by stillbirth struggle with a lack of clear answers regarding the cause of their loss. The consortium will actively collaborate with stillbirth support groups and advisory panels to ensure that research is informed by the lived experiences of those affected. The North carolina team will specifically focus on improving data collection and standardization, addressing a critical need highlighted by previous reports documenting inconsistent and incomplete stillbirth data.
“If we could see the signs and deliver the baby earlier, so that the mom has a live baby, that’s I think what we’re all hoping for,” explained Dr.Cynthia Gyamfi-Bannerman, Chair and Professor of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences at UC San Diego.
A Shift in National Awareness
This new consortium represents a pivotal moment in the national conversation surrounding stillbirth, a previously overlooked public health issue. Recent reporting has brought increased attention to the issue, including a documentary released in 2025 following the journeys of women impacted by stillbirths and their advocacy for safer pregnancies.
Debbie Haine vijayvergiya, featured in the aforementioned documentary, has long campaigned for congressional support for stillbirth legislation and the passage of the Stillbirth Health Improvement and Education (SHINE) for Autumn Act, named in honor of her daughter. Coincidentally, just days after the NIH announced the consortium, bipartisan legislation to reintroduce the SHINE Act was presented in Congress.
“I feel like our moment has finally arrived, and we are being included in all this tremendously vital lifesaving work that’s being done,” Vijayvergiya shared.
The initiative builds upon the work of a previous NIH working group, established by Congress in 2022, which heard directly from families affected by stillbirth and issued a report calling the country’s stillbirth rate “unacceptably high.” The United States currently lags behind other high-income nations in reducing stillbirth rates.
Expert Insights & Future Directions
Dr. Bob Silver, a leading stillbirth expert at the University of Utah Health, with decades of experience in prevention, will co-lead efforts in Utah. “There’s no question that the ProPublica reporting was intimately tied to this,” Silver noted.
Dr.Karen Gibbins, Assistant Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Oregon Health & Science University, expressed her optimism, stating, “Stillbirth is such a huge public health issue, and one that historically has not had as much attention. The fact that we have this investment of centers that are going to be taking these different approaches to fight stillbirth and to prevent stillbirth,and also to provide better care to families who do experience stillbirth,it’s a piece of hope that I think we all needed.”
Frequently Asked Questions About Stillbirth
- What is stillbirth?
- Stillbirth refers to the loss of a baby at or after 20 weeks of pregnancy.
- what causes stillbirth?
- The causes of stillbirth are complex and can vary, but may include placental problems, fetal growth restriction, and maternal health conditions.
- Is stillbirth preventable?
- Research suggests that up to 25% (and perhaps more in later gestation) of stillbirths might potentially be preventable through improved monitoring and intervention.
- What is the NIH consortium hoping to achieve?
- The consortium aims to identify risk factors, develop predictive tools, and improve care for families experiencing stillbirth.
- How can families affected by stillbirth find support?
- Numerous support groups and organizations offer resources and guidance for bereaved parents.
Understanding Stillbirth: A Lasting Impact
Did You Know? Approximately 24,000 stillbirths occur in the United States each year, representing a significant public health challenge.
Stillbirth is frequently enough a hidden grief, and open discussion is crucial for destigmatization and improved support for affected families.
Pro Tip: If you are pregnant and experience a significant decrease in fetal movement, contact your healthcare provider immediately.
