US stillbirth rate shows slight decline as concerns persist
The US stillbirth rate decreased by 2% in 2024, according to data released by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, marking a hopeful improvement after years of fluctuation, reports BritPanorama.
Despite this decline, there were still nearly 20,000 reported fetal deaths last year, translating to more than 5.4 stillbirths for every 1,000 live births and pregnancies beyond 20 weeks. While this figure is the lowest in decades, the CDC does not classify it as a record low.
The trend shows that stillbirth rates have generally been decreasing in the US, down from 7.5 per 1,000 live births in 1990 to 5.7 in 2019. The onset of the Covid-19 pandemic saw a temporary uptick in the rate, which fluctuated until the recent decrease returned it to 2022 levels.
Notably, the decline last year was significant in three states: Colorado, which reported a 14% drop; Utah, with a 16% reduction; and Mississippi, which saw a notable 21% decrease in fetal mortality from 2023 to 2024.
Despite these improvements, Mississippi has the highest stillbirth rate in the US, standing at 7.8. In response to rising infant mortality rates, Mississippi has declared a public health emergency, aimed at mobilizing resources for maternal and infant care and addressing systemic issues, such as the lack of accessible maternity care.
Experts caution that while the national stillbirth rate showed improvement, particularly in third-trimester cases, much work remains. “Stillbirths affect just as many families as do infant deaths each year,” remarked Ashley Stoneburner, director of applied research and analytics at March of Dimes, emphasizing the recurrent risk factors shared between stillbirths and early infant deaths.
In a bid to address these challenges, the US National Institutes of Health initiated a five-year, $37 million Stillbirth Research Consortium to reduce stillbirth risk. Research indicates that about a quarter of stillbirths could be preventable, although many remain unexplained even when common causes are ruled out. Factors contributing to stillbirths include maternal health issues such as diabetes and obesity, along with environmental stressors.
Socioeconomic disparities also play a significant role, as access to healthcare remains a challenge for many, particularly among ethnic minority groups. The CDC report highlights a persistent inequity in healthcare access, with stillbirth rates being the highest among Black mothers and Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islanders—about 10 fetal deaths for every 1,000 live births in these groups.
The ongoing analysis underscores the complexity of maternal and child health crises across the country, with a focus on the systemic factors that contribute to health disparities, and the need for targeted interventions as the US strives to further reduce stillbirth rates.
