PHILADELPHIA (June 18, 2025) – A new review published in Health Affairs Scholar highlights significant limitations in the existing evidence base for perinatal palliative care (PPC) in the United States, raising concerns about its capacity to adequately support a growing, vulnerable patient population increasingly directed towards it due to abortion restrictions.
The review, titled "Dobbs-driven expansion of perinatal palliative care: a scoping review of the evidence and its limits," was conducted by a team of researchers led by Abigail B. Wilpers, PhD, WHNP-BC , Assistant Professor, in Penn Nursing ’s Department of Family and Community Health . PPC is an interdisciplinary approach that provides comprehensive support from prenatal diagnosis through labor, birth, neonatal care, and end-of-life support for families facing pregnancies complicated by life-limiting fetal conditions (LLFCs). This care integrates medical management with psychosocial and bereavement support, aiming to facilitate values-driven decision-making for families.
"Our review reveals a significant and concerning gap in the evidence for PPC in the United States, especially at a time when more families are being directed to this care due to abortion restrictions," said Wilpers. "We urgently need robust, U.S.-based research to truly understand if PPC can effectively and equitably meet the needs of all vulnerable patients, ensuring their safety, comfort, and well-being in an increasingly complex landscape of reproductive health.
Key Findings and Identified Gaps:
The authors underscore that existing PPC evidence is limited, leaving critical gaps in understanding its safety, effectiveness, acceptability, and equity—factors essential for assessing if PPC meets its intended goals and serves diverse populations. This comprehensive review serves as a crucial call to action for more rigorous research to inform policy and ensure appropriate care for vulnerable families.
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The University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing (Penn Nursing) is one of the world’s leading nursing schools. It has been ranked the #1 nursing school in the U.S. by QS University for a decade. Our Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) is among the top-ranked programs in the nation, according to the 2025 U.S. News & World Report’s Best Colleges rankings. Penn Nursing also consistently earns high rankings in U.S. News & World Report’s annual list of best graduate schools and is a top recipient of National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding for nursing research. Penn Nursing prepares nurse scientists and nurse leaders to meet the health needs of a global society through innovation in research, education, and practice. Follow Penn Nursing on: Facebook , X , LinkedIn , YouTube , & Instagram .
Health Affairs Scholar
Dobbs-driven expansion of perinatal palliative care: a scoping review of the evidence and its limits
15-Apr-2025