Mississippi declares public health emergency as infant death rate reaches highest level in over a decade

Mississippi has entered a public health emergency following a dramatic spike in infant mortality rates, positioning the state as the worst in the nation for infant mortality rate in 2024. According to new data, 9.7 infants per 1,000 live births died before their first birthday—nearly double the national average of 5.6 per 1,000 based on the latest 2023 data.

This marks the highest infant death rate recorded in Mississippi in more than ten years, and more than 3,500 babies have died in the state since 2014. A toll described by State Health Officer Dr. Dan Edney as “Every single infant loss represents a family devastated, a community impacted and a future cut short,” reported CBS news.

Causes and contributing factors

The majority of these deaths are due to congenital malformations, preterm births, low birthweight, and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Poor maternal health and limited access to quality prenatal and postpartum care are major contributors. Particularly alarming are disparities in outcomes: Black infants in Mississippi die at a rate of 15.2 per 1,000 live births, compared to 5.8 for white infants—a gap that has widened even in cities with strong healthcare systems.


The 2024 March of Dimes Report Card gives Mississippi an “F” grade on preterm birth rate and highlights poor maternal/infant outcomes, noting the state’s highest rates of preterm births. Structural inequities, insufficient clinical care, and socioeconomic factors continue to exacerbate risks for babies and new moms.

Emergency response and planned actions

The emergency declaration enables the Department of Health to mobilize resources and enact new measures. Planned actions include:

• Expanding prenatal and postpartum services, especially in underserved counties
• Creating a statewide obstetric system to regionalize care and improve emergency transfers
• Strengthening home visiting and community health worker programs
• Intensifying education campaigns about safe sleep and infant care

Dr. Edney emphasized, “Improving maternal health is the best way to reduce infant mortality. That means better access to prenatal and postpartum care, stronger community support, and increased resources for moms and babies. Healthy women of childbearing age are more likely to have healthy pregnancies, which in turn lead to healthier babies.”

Public health expert, Dr. Morgan McDonald, National Director for Population Health at New York-based nonprofit Milbank Memorial Fund says elevating infant mortality to an urgent crisis response is essential to“draw our attention to a problem that is tragic and preventable,” reported CBS news. The declaration is meant to rally state agencies, providers, and communities to implement solutions and honor families affected by these losses.

FAQs

Q: What is the current infant mortality rate in Mississippi?
It is 9.7 deaths per 1,000 live births, the highest in more than a decade and nearly double the latest national average.

Q: What are the leading causes of infant death in the state?
Key causes are congenital malformations, preterm birth, low birthweight, and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).

Q: Who is most affected by this crisis?
Black infants die at a rate of 15.2 per 1,000 live births compared to 5.8 for white infants, highlighting severe racial health disparities.

Q: What measures are being taken in response?
Mississippi is expanding prenatal and postpartum care, launching community health worker programs, strengthening home visits, and regionalizing obstetric services.

Q: Why is the emergency declaration significant?
Such a declaration is unusual and elevates infant mortality to a crisis, allowing faster mobilization of resources and heightened public awareness — prioritizing lifesaving actions.