Full Breakdown
U.S. Stillbirth Rate Sees Slight Decline Amid Ongoing Concerns
12/5/2025, 8:36:34 PM
Overview of the Decline in Stillbirth Rates
According to a report released by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on December 3, 2025, the stillbirth rate in the United States decreased by 2% in 2024, marking a hopeful improvement after several years of fluctuating rates. The report indicates that nearly 20,000 pregnancies ended in stillbirth, which translates to approximately 5.4 stillbirths for every 1,000 pregnancies lasting 20 weeks or longer. While this figure represents the lowest national rate observed in decades, the CDC does not classify it as a record low.
Contributing Factors to the Decline
The decline in stillbirth rates was notably influenced by significant reductions in three states: Colorado (14% decrease), Utah (16% decrease), and Mississippi (21% decrease). Despite this progress, Mississippi continues to have the highest stillbirth rate in the nation at 7.8 per 1,000 pregnancies. In response to the rising infant mortality rate, Mississippi officials declared a public health emergency earlier this year, aiming to enhance maternal care access, particularly in underserved areas.
Risk Factors and Demographics
Health experts emphasize that while the decline is encouraging, the stillbirth rate remains a critical issue. Ashley Stoneburner, director of applied research and analytics at March of Dimes, highlighted that stillbirths impact as many families as infant deaths annually. Risk factors for stillbirth include diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, stress, substance use, and environmental factors such as extreme heat and pollution. Socioeconomic factors also play a significant role, with mothers who are Black, Native Hawaiian, or Pacific Islander experiencing stillbirth rates close to 10 per 1,000 pregnancies—double the rate of their white, Hispanic, or Asian counterparts.
Official Responses and Future Initiatives
In light of these challenges, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) launched a $37 million Stillbirth Research Consortium in September 2025, aimed at reducing stillbirth risks. Research indicates that approximately 40% of stillbirths may be preventable, yet many remain unexplained, even after accounting for common causes such as congenital abnormalities and obstetric complications.
Criticism and Ongoing Challenges
Despite the positive trend, experts caution that much work remains to be done to further reduce stillbirth rates. March of Dimes' 2025 report card pointed to a concerning decline in the percentage of pregnant women receiving timely prenatal care, alongside persistent health inequities and rising risks.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Stillbirths affect just as many families as do infant deaths each year,” — Ashley Stoneburner, Director of Applied Research and Analytics, March of Dimes
- “There’s a lot of socioeconomic factors that increase the risk for stillbirth as well, and those are things like lack of access to health care or belonging to a certain ethnic minority groups,” — Ashley Stoneburner, Director of Applied Research and Analytics, March of Dimes
The ongoing efforts by state officials and health organizations underscore the importance of addressing the multifaceted issues surrounding stillbirths to ensure better outcomes for mothers and infants alike.
