Health officials in the U.S. state of Mississippi have declared a public health emergency due to a rise in the infant mortality rate, which has reached a 10-year high. Data from last year shows that for every 1,000 births in the state, 9.7 infants died within their first year of life. Dr. Dan Edney, the state's health officer, announced the public health emergency declaration, which allows the state to mobilize resources more quickly than under normal circumstances. He stated: "Every child's death represents a shattered family, an affected community, and an unclear future." According to state data, 3,527 children in Mississippi have died before reaching their first year of age since 2014. The state has also seen a particularly sharp increase in neonatal mortality, which occurs during the first month of life. Additionally, the infant mortality rate is extremely high among Black families, at 15.2 per 1,000 live births, compared to 5.8 among white families.
Poor outcomes for mothers and children are not new to Mississippi. In the "March of Dimes" 2024 report, which ranks maternal and child health by state, Mississippi received a low rating. The report indicates that Mississippi had the highest infant mortality rates in the country last year, as well as the highest rates of preterm births, when a baby is born before 37 weeks of pregnancy. Preterm birth is linked to an increased risk of many short- and long-term health problems. Among the factors contributing to these poor outcomes are the poor physical health of mothers and a lack of available care for both mothers and children. Dr. Michael Warren, chief medical and health officer for March of Dimes, said in an interview with Time magazine: "Mississippi has always ranked low when it comes to birth outcomes," noting that "it's not alone."
In recent years, infant mortality rates have worsened in 24 U.S. states, including Arkansas and Louisiana. These states were already facing maternal and infant health issues, but external factors are likely making these outcomes worse. In recent years, many rural counties have lost obstetricians or birthing services in hospitals, forcing women to travel longer distances for prenatal and postpartum care. More than half of Mississippi's counties and a third of U.S. counties are considered maternal care deserts, meaning they have no hospitals offering obstetric care, no obstetrician-gynecologists, and no nurses.
In Mississippi and across the American South, obstetricians-gynecologists are leaving their jobs due to low salaries and compensation, making it difficult to keep clinics operational. The clinics that remain open often face staffing shortages, and healthcare providers can sometimes experience burnout from working around the clock. As a result, women experiencing emergencies during childbirth may not be able to see a doctor in a timely manner. Furthermore, Mississippi and many other Southern states have not expanded Medicaid, meaning women may enter pregnancy in poorer health than if they had greater access to healthcare. If women do not have health insurance, they may not be able to see a doctor regularly to monitor chronic conditions like obesity or diabetes. Dr. Warren explained that one of the key factors leading to higher infant mortality is that many babies are born prematurely, and many preterm births are linked to the mother's health before pregnancy.
In the public health emergency declaration, Mississippi authorities plan to enhance services in areas lacking obstetricians. They plan to increase prenatal care opportunities in some counties and expand the community health worker program.
• 3,527 children in Mississippi died before reaching their first year of age since 2014.
