NIH seeks to reduce stillbirths

The National Institutes of Health announced it has launched a consortium to help reduce preventable stillbirths nationwide. The NIH said researchers would develop tools, devices and other technology that could potentially affect stillbirth diagnosis and prevention. The agency will fund the consortium with more than $37 million over five years. Stillbirth occurs in 1 in 160 deliveries in the U.S. About 23,600 stillbirths at 20 weeks or greater gestation are reported each year, with more than 60% of cases unexplained. The stillbirth rate is higher among Black, American Indian and Alaska Native people. About 40% of stillbirths occurring during labor and birth are considered potentially preventable. (NIH news release, 9/16/25)