By Lilli Dubler, Building Kentucky
Stillbirth is a silent crisis that devastates over 21,000 families across the U.S. annually, including six in every 1,000 pregnancies in Kentucky. To combat this issue, Count the Kicks and the Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Foundation are bringing life-saving resources and education to more families across Kentucky.
This effort builds on the momentum of the Maternal and Child Health Stillbirth Prevention Act of 2024, a landmark piece of legislation that allows states to dedicate funding to stillbirth prevention programs. Currently, only 30 states – including Kentucky – allocate resources for this critical work, underscoring the need for increased awareness and action.
Count the Kicks is a proven public health program that educates expectant parents on how to monitor their baby’s movement during their third trimester – a key indicator of fetal health, according to the CDC. With Anthem Foundation’s support, Count the Kicks will expand its reach in Kentucky, providing free educational resources and access to a mobile app that helps parents track movement patterns. By empowering families to recognize warning signs early and seek medical attention, the program is saving lives.
“Improving maternal health and birth outcomes is central to Anthem’s mission,” said Dr. Lori Caloia, Plan Performance Medical Director for Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield. “Maternal health is key indicator of community health, and we’re proud to support Count the Kicks in expanding their life-saving work. By equipping expectant parents with the tools and education they need, we’re helping to create healthier futures for Kentucky families.”
Count the Kicks has already made a significant impact since it began. In Iowa, where the program started, the stillbirth rate dropped nearly 32% over 10 years. Among Black women, the rate was even more remarkable – a 39% reduction within the first five years – while national rates remained unchanged.
The work is especially critical given the significant racial disparities that are prevalent in maternal health outcomes. Black women are twice as likely as white women to experience stillbirth, with 1 in every 100 pregnancies ending tragically. Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, American Indian and Alaska-Native families also face disproportionate risks. Additionally, Black women are three times more likely to die from pregnancy related complications.
“Count the Kicks gives expectant parents and providers the tools and resources they need to have an ongoing conversation about fetal movement in the third trimester,” said Emily Price, CEO for Healthy Birth Day, Inc., the nonprofit organization that created the Count the Kicks program. “Count the Kicks is proven to improve birth outcomes for moms and babies, and we are grateful to be partnering with Anthem to make this life-saving education available to Kentucky families.”
To help prevent stillbirth, Kentuckians are encouraged to download and share the free Count the Kicks app with expectant parents and health care providers. Raising awareness and empowering more families will make significant strides in preventing stillbirth and creating healthier, happier outcomes for moms and babies across the Commonwealth.
