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Mississippi Declares Public Health Emergency Over Infant Mortality Crisis
Mississippi health officials have declared a public health emergency due to a sharp rise in infant mortality. The state’s rate reached 9.7 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2024, nearly double the national average and the highest in over a decade. Since 2014, over 3,500 infants in Mississippi have died before their first birthday.
This crisis reflects a broader national concern. Even in cities like Boston with advanced healthcare systems, racial disparities persist.
Black infants in Boston die at rates far exceeding White infants, highlighting the impact of systemic inequities on infant health. Dr.
Dan Edney, Mississippi’s State Health Officer, stressed the devastating impact of each infant death, stating, “We cannot and will not accept these numbers as our reality.”
The primary causes of infant death in Mississippi include congenital malformations, premature birth, low birthweight, and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Racial disparities are pronounced, with Black infants facing a significantly higher risk.
Declaring a public health emergency for infant mortality is a rare but crucial step, according to Dr. Michael Warren of the March of Dimes.
He called it an “urgent crisis response.”
The emergency declaration aims to expedite improvements in care. Mississippi’s plan includes expanding prenatal services in underserved counties, improving emergency transfers, and bolstering home visiting programs.
Dr. Edney emphasized that improving maternal health is paramount to reducing infant mortality.
Experts agree that addressing systemic issues is essential, focusing on continuous healthcare access for women before, during, and after pregnancy. Dr.
Stephen Patrick of Emory University noted that the challenges faced by mothers, such as poverty and lack of access to healthcare, contribute significantly to infant mortality.
Federal funding cuts, including potential elimination of the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS), complicate the situation. PRAMS provides crucial data on maternal and infant health.
Other programs supporting maternal health and infant safety are also at risk. These cuts hinder the ability to track critical trends and address gaps in care.
Medicaid’s role in Mississippi is substantial, financing a larger proportion of births than the national average. While the state extended postpartum Medicaid coverage to one year, it hasn’t expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act, leaving many low-income women without coverage.
Proposed Congressional changes to Medicaid, including work requirements, could exacerbate the problem and further strain rural hospitals in areas lacking obstetric services. Other states that expanded Medicaid have witnessed significant improvements in infant health, particularly among Black infants.
Mississippi remains one of ten states that have not expanded Medicaid.
The high infant mortality rate in Mississippi, along with disparities seen in other areas, underscores persistent societal inequities. The state’s emergency declaration seeks to mobilize a coordinated response involving hospitals, agencies, and community groups to address this critical issue.
Dr. Edney stressed the importance of collective action, stating, “It will take all of us working together to give every child the chance to live, thrive, and celebrate their first birthday.”