Mississippi Declares Public Health Emergency Amid Record Infant Deaths

Mississippi has officially declared a public health emergency after experiencing its highest infant mortality rate in over ten years. In 2024, the state recorded 9.7 infant deaths per 1,000 live births, a figure that surpasses the national average by over 60%. Since 2014, more than 3,500 infants in Mississippi have died before reaching their first birthday, highlighting a significant public health concern.

State health officials emphasize that each infant loss profoundly impacts families and communities, and represent a future lost. The emergency declaration aims to allocate additional resources to improve maternal and infant healthcare services.

Key strategies include expanding prenatal and postpartum care, addressing areas with limited access to maternity services, implementing community health worker programs, and promoting safe sleep practices for infants. Improving maternal health through better access to care and community support is seen as vital to reducing infant mortality.

Cindy Rahman, CEO of March of Dimes, describes the situation as a stark reminder of a broader national crisis, noting that Mississippi accounts for less than 1% of U.S. births but over 1.6% of infant deaths. The state’s elevated infant mortality, especially among Black infants, with rates exceeding 15 deaths per 1,000 live births, signals urgent need for intervention. Common causes of infant deaths include birth defects, preterm birth, low birth weight, and SIDS.

The CDC’s upcoming data is expected to show an increase in infant mortality nationally, with recent findings indicating a rise in 2022—the first such increase in two decades. Experts also express concern that recent abortion restrictions may worsen infant mortality rates, citing evidence from Texas where infant deaths increased following a six-week abortion ban.

Medicaid plays a crucial role, covering just over half of all births in Mississippi and supporting maternal and infant health nationwide. Cuts to these programs could exacerbate existing challenges. Authorities stress that moving backward in maternal healthcare is not an option, and sustained efforts are essential to address this crisis.

For more information, visit the CDC’s page on infant mortality.