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ABSTRACT: Background
Despite progress, stillbirth rates in many high- and upper-middle income countries remain high, and the majority of these deaths are preventable. We introduce the Ending Preventable Stillbirths (EPS) Scorecard for High- and Upper Middle-Income Countries, a tool to track progress against the Lancet's 2016 EPS Series Call to Action, fostering transparency, consistency and accountability.Methods
The Scorecard for EPS in High- and Upper-Middle Income Countries was adapted from the Scorecard for EPS in Low-Income Countries, which includes 20 indicators to track progress against the eight Call to Action targets. The Scorecard for High- and Upper-Middle Income Countries includes 23 indicators tracking progress against these same Call to Action targets. For this inaugural version of the Scorecard, 13 high- and upper-middle income countries supplied data. Data were collated and compared between and within countries.Results
Data were complete for 15 of 23 indicators (65%). Five key issues were identified: (1) there is wide variation in stillbirth rates and related perinatal outcomes, (2) definitions of stillbirth and related perinatal outcomes vary widely across countries, (3) data on key risk factors for stillbirth are often missing and equity is not consistently tracked, (4) most countries lack guidelines and targets for critical areas for stillbirth prevention and care after stillbirth and have not set a national stillbirth rate target, and (5) most countries do not have mechanisms in place for reduction of stigma or guidelines around bereavement care.Conclusions
This inaugural version of the Scorecard for High- and Upper-Middle Income Countries highlights important gaps in performance indicators for stillbirth both between and within countries. The Scorecard provides a basis for future assessment of progress and can be used to help hold individual countries accountable, especially for reducing stillbirth inequities in disadvantaged groups.
SUBMITTER: de Graaff EC
PROVIDER: S-EPMC10311809 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jun
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
de Graaff Esti Charlotte EC Leisher Susannah Hopkins SH Blencowe Hannah H Lawford Harriet H Cassidy Jillian J Cassidy Paul Richard PR Draper Elizabeth S ES Heazell Alexander E P AEP Kinney Mary M Quigley Paula P Ravaldi Claudia C Storey Claire C Vannacci Alfredo A Flenady Vicki V
BMC pregnancy and childbirth 20230630 1
<h4>Background</h4>Despite progress, stillbirth rates in many high- and upper-middle income countries remain high, and the majority of these deaths are preventable. We introduce the Ending Preventable Stillbirths (EPS) Scorecard for High- and Upper Middle-Income Countries, a tool to track progress against the Lancet's 2016 EPS Series Call to Action, fostering transparency, consistency and accountability.<h4>Methods</h4>The Scorecard for EPS in High- and Upper-Middle Income Countries was adapted ...[more]