New Survey by Stagwell (STGW)'s The Harris
Poll Reveals Critical Gaps in Public Awareness and Support
Surrounding Pregnancy and Infant
Loss in the U.S.
NEW
YORK, Oct. 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- In honor of
Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day (Oct 15), The Harris Poll, a Stagwell Agency, is
releasing additional data from its second annual State of Maternal
Health Report, bringing to light alarming gaps in public
understanding of and support systems relating to pregnancy and
infant loss across the United
States. Key findings from the survey, conducted online in
April of 2024, indicate significant disparities when it comes to
knowledge of infant mortality rates in the U.S., and confirm a
shocking lack of support for those experiencing loss.
"These statistics just graze the surface of such a significant
and delicate issue for women, and families, and the lack of support
offered to them," expressed Christina
Lojek, Research Manager at The Harris Poll. "As someone who
has had the unfortunate experience of facing a pregnancy loss and
feeling like I was expected to just jump back into normal life like
nothing happened, I whole-heartedly believe that things could have
been better on many accounts if proper education and support
standards were in place."
According to March of Dimes, stillbirth affects about 1 in 160
births in the U.S., and about 10 to 20 percent of pregnancies end
in miscarriage. Furthermore, the U.S. — one of the most developed
nations in the world – is not among those with the lowest rates of
infant deaths (or the death of an infant before his or her first
birthday). Less than one third of Americans (29%) know that the
U.S. does not have one of the lowest rates of infant mortality
among developed countries. And less than half of Americans (45%)
know that Black and American Indian/Alaska native babies are twice
as likely as white babies to die before their first birthday. This
knowledge gap underscores a critical need for increased
awareness and action.
The study also highlights an urgent call for policy changes
regarding parental leave following the loss of a baby. About 2 in 5
women who have been pregnant or given birth (39%) believe that
employers should offer the same amount of paid leave for parents
who experience a miscarriage or stillbirth as they do for those
taking maternity or paternity leave. This sentiment is even
stronger among younger women aged 18-34, where about half (51%)
support such equality in parental leave policies.
Furthermore, there is an overwhelming need for supportive
measures post-miscarriage or stillbirth. One in 7 women who have
been pregnant or given birth (14%) state that their pregnancy/birth
experience(s) would have been easier/better if they were provided
support after a miscarriage/stillbirth, with a dramatic increase to
nearly one in four (23%) among younger women aged 18-34. These
stats, which are among all women and include those who did not
experience loss, would undoubtedly be much higher if just looking
at those who did in fact suffer a miscarriage or stillbirth.
Essential services such as medical support for physical healing,
information on therapy and support groups, and memorabilia like
footprints or photographs could provide substantial relief for
grieving parents.
During Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month (October), and
especially today, these findings are even more unnerving as it is
clear there is not enough being done to support these individuals
and families through this difficult, grief-filled journey. Sadly,
it is evident that the U.S. is severely behind when it comes to
preventing and addressing pregnancy and infant loss, supporting
mothers and families after loss, which should serve as a call to
action for policy makers, healthcare providers, and employers
alike.
If you or someone you know has experienced a pregnancy or infant
loss, please consider checking out the below resources/information
for support.
- https://starlegacyfoundation.org/resources/
- https://www.marchofdimes.org/pregnancyandinfantlossmonth
- https://nationalshare.org/
-
https://www.thecooperproject.org/pink-and-blue-project
- https://www.pushpregnancy.org/resources
Survey Method:
The 2024 State of Maternal Health survey was conducted online in
the U.S. by The Harris Poll April 2-4,
2024 among 2,061 U.S. adults ages 18+, among whom 1,116 are
women, and 701 are women who are currently pregnant or have ever
been pregnant. The sampling precision of Harris online polls is measured by using a
Bayesian credible interval. For this study, the sample data
is accurate to within +/- 2.5 percentage points using a 95%
confidence level. This credible interval will be wider among
subsets of the surveyed population of interest. For complete survey
methodology, including weighting variables and subgroup sample
sizes, please contact christina.lojek@harrispoll.com.
About The Harris Poll
The Harris Poll is a global
consulting and market research firm that strives to reveal the
authentic values of modern society to inspire leaders to create a
better tomorrow. It works with clients in three primary areas:
building twenty-first-century corporate reputation, crafting brand
strategy and performance tracking, and earning organic media
through public relations research. One of the longest-running
surveys in the U.S., The Harris Poll has tracked public opinion,
motivations and social sentiment since 1963, and is now part of
Stagwell, the challenger holding company built to transform
marketing. To learn more, please visit
www.theharrispoll.com
Contact:
Christina Lojek
christina.lojek@harrispoll.com
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SOURCE Stagwell Inc.