The rate of stillbirths in the United States is higher than previously reported, according to a recent study conducted by researchers at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and Mass General Brigham. The study, published in JAMA, analyzed data from over 2.7 million pregnancies in the U.S. between 2016 and 2022, identifying 18,893 cases of stillbirth.
One of the key findings of the study was that while most stillbirths had at least one clinical risk factor, a significant number occurred with no identified risk factors, particularly those occurring at 40 weeks gestation or later. This highlights the need for improved stillbirth risk prediction and prevention efforts, as nearly half of stillbirths occurring at 37 weeks or later are believed to be preventable.
The researchers also found that the stillbirth rate in the U.S. is higher than previously estimated, with more than one in 150 births ending in stillbirth. The rate was even higher in low-income areas and areas with a higher proportion of Black families. Despite efforts to improve stillbirth research and prevention, rates in the U.S. remain higher than in other countries.
The study emphasized the importance of further research into the socioeconomic factors that contribute to stillbirth rates, including social factors, health system factors, and clinical risk factors. The researchers hope that the findings will inform policy changes, practice improvements, and future research to reduce the incidence of stillbirths and support families who have experienced this tragic outcome.
Haley Sullivan, a student in the Harvard Ph.D. Program in Health Policy, was the first author of the study, with co-senior authors Jessica Cohen and Mark Clapp leading the research. The study’s findings underscore the pressing need for a better understanding of stillbirth risk factors and the development of effective prevention strategies.
For more information on the study, you can refer to the publication in JAMA by Haley K. Sullivan et al., DOI: 10.1001/jama.2025.17392. This research was conducted by the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and underscores the importance of addressing stillbirths as a public health concern.
