Australia has emerged as a global leader in the effort to lower the number of babies that die before taking their first breaths. It’s an approach that could benefit America, which lags behind other wealthy nations in reducing stillbirths.
A lab test that experts liken to a witch trial is helping send women to prison for murder
The ‘lung float’ test claims to help determine if a baby was born alive or dead, but many medical examiners say it’s too unreliable. Yet the test is still being used to bring murder charges — and get convictions.
Lawmakers propose $45 million in new funding for measures to lower U.S. stillbirth rate
The legislation seeks to improve data and research, as well as develop stillbirth awareness materials. Many women interviewed by ProPublica said they didn’t know they were at risk until they delivered their stillborn baby.
Lawmakers reintroduce bill to battle nation’s stillbirth crisis
After legislation fell short of passage last year, a bipartisan group of lawmakers hope to advance a new bill to fund stillbirth prevention, and they credit ProPublica for its reporting.
Federal study calls U.S. stillbirth rate ‘unacceptably high’ and recommends action
A National Institutes of Health report decried stillbirths as a “major public health concern” and said the nation needed to do more to address the problem through research and prevention.
Lawmakers pledge to fight for comprehensive action on stillbirths
A ProPublica investigation found the U.S. lagging other developed nations in reducing the number of stillbirths. Lawmakers say increased funding will be key to any improvement.
