The state of Mississippi has declared a public health emergency after recording the highest rate of infant deaths in more than a decade—9.7 deaths per 1,000 births in 2024. This figure exceeds the national average by more than 60%, prompting the Department of Health to take urgent action following the loss of more than 3,500 infants in the state since 2014.
In a moving statement, State Health Officer Dr. Dan Edney described the loss of every infant as “a devastation for a family, a wound for a community, and a future cut short.” He emphasized that declaring a state of emergency is not merely a political decision but a commitment to saving lives.
The new strategy includes creating a unified system of maternal and child care, expanding home-visit programs, educating families about safe sleep practices, and addressing so-called “maternity care deserts”—areas that lack access to obstetric services.
Black Infants Face Alarming Mortality Disparities in Mississippi
Health department data highlights that the leading causes of infant deaths are congenital anomalies, preterm births, low birth weight, and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Alarmingly, Black infants in Mississippi face particularly high risks, with mortality rates rising to more than 15 deaths per 1,000 live births—an increase of 24% in just one year.
The March of Dimes, an organization dedicated to maternal and child health, supported the emergency declaration, calling the situation “a wake-up call for the nation.” Its president, Cindy Rahman, noted that while Mississippi accounts for less than 1% of U.S. births, it represents more than 1.6% of infant deaths—exposing deep flaws in the healthcare system.
Mississippi’s Infant Health Crisis Linked to Policy and Healthcare Gaps
This crisis also unfolds against the backdrop of broader healthcare challenges in states with strict abortion restrictions. Recent studies revealed that infant mortality rose in Texas following the 2021 abortion ban, and that the U.S. Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision has had a measurable impact on infant death trends across several states.
The March of Dimes also warned that any cuts to Medicaid—which covers more than half of all births in Mississippi—would worsen the crisis. The organization stressed that the U.S. remains one of the most dangerous developed countries to give birth, and that reducing support for maternal and child healthcare is no longer an option.
Amid these alarming numbers, Mississippi health authorities hope the emergency declaration will mobilize resources, influence policy, and unify efforts to save children’s lives and secure a better future for mothers in the state.