Why infant death rates have doubled in Mississippi and are rising across the US

Mississippi declared a public health emergency in 2024 after its infant mortality rate climbed to 9.7 deaths per 1,000 live births, nearly double the national average of 5.6. But Mississippi is not alone. Across the U.S., Black infants die at much higher rates than their White peers—even in cities with world-class hospitals like Boston.

The Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) is a statistical measure of the number of deaths of infants under one year of age per 1,000 live births in a given population and time period.

Since 2014, more than 3,500 Mississippi infants have died before reaching their first birthday. The alarming rise has reignited debate over how poverty, healthcare access, and systemic inequities continue to drive preventable infant deaths across the country.

What's behind the rising infant mortality?

According to reports, the leading causes behind the rising infant mortality in the US include premature birth, low birthweight, congenital defects, and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.

The situation is further complicated by federal funding cuts. Programs like the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS)—which helped track maternal and infant health behaviors for decades—have been scaled back, leaving states with fewer tools to detect trends or intervene early. Analysts warn that without such data, policies risk “flying blind.”

However, public health experts warn that focusing solely on medical care misses deeper drivers such as poverty, unstable housing, and lack of access to consistent maternal healthcare.

Mississippi finances nearly 60% of births through Medicaid but has not expanded the program, unlike 40 other states. Expansion states such as Louisiana and Arkansas have seen significant reductions in infant mortality, particularly among Black families.

Notably, black infants in Mississippi are more than twice as likely as white infants to die in their first year, a gap that has widened in recent years.

Experts say the crisis reflects a long-standing truth: healthy babies depend on healthy mothers. Without tackling systemic inequities alongside medical care, the U.S. risks worsening disparities in infant survival.