The University of Mississippi Medical Center is working to give babies a healthy start in life through programs that address infant mortality, the subject of a public health emergency declared Thursday by the Mississippi State Department of Health.
In 2024, data shows the state’s overall infant mortality increased to 9.7 deaths per 1,000 live births, the highest in more than a decade. In Mississippi, 3,527 babies have died before the age of 1 since 2014.
“Too many Mississippi families are losing their babies before their first birthday,” said Dr. Dan Edney, state health officer. “This is deeply personal to me – not just as a physician, but as a father and grandfather. Every single infant loss represents a family devastated, a community impacted and a future cut short. We cannot and will not accept these numbers as our reality.”
“As a maternal-fetal medicine specialist, I am deeply concerned about Mississippi’s rising infant mortality rate,” said Dr. Rachael Morris, associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology and maternal-fetal specialist. “High rates of preterm birth, chronic maternal conditions, and limited access to prenatal and neonatal care—especially in rural areas—are driving this crisis.
“Expanding postpartum coverage, supporting rural hospitals, and investing in maternal health programs are essential steps if we want to reverse these trends and give every baby the best chance at life.”…