US Stillbirth rate Declines, But Remains a Notable Concern
Washington D.C. – the United States saw a 2% decrease in the stillbirth rate in 2024, according too new data released wednesday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). While this marks a hopeful trend after recent fluctuations, nearly 20,000 fetal deaths still occurred, representing a rate of 5.4 per 1,000 live births and pregnancies exceeding 20 weeks gestation.
This rate, though the lowest in decades, isn’t considered a record low by the CDC. Historically, the US has seen a general decline in stillbirths – falling from 7.5 per 1,000 in 1990 to 5.7 in 2019. Though, the COVID-19 pandemic caused a concerning uptick in 2020, and the rate has remained unstable in the years as. The 2024 decline largely restores the rate to 2022 levels.
State-Level Improvements Drive National Trend
The national decrease was largely fueled by significant improvements in three states: Colorado (down 14%), Utah (down 16%), and Mississippi (down 21%). Despite this substantial progress, Mississippi continues to have the highest stillbirth rate in the nation, at 7.8 per 1,000 births.
Recognizing the severity of the issue, Mississippi declared a public health emergency earlier this year regarding rising infant mortality rates. This declaration is intended to unlock resources for critical interventions, including investments in standardized maternal and infant care systems and addressing the growing number of “maternity care deserts” – areas with limited access to prenatal and postnatal care.
Ongoing Challenges and the Need for Continued Action
Experts emphasize that despite the positive trend, substantial work
