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Mississippi officials declare public health emergency on rising infant mortality rate

The Mississippi State Department of Health has declared a public health emergency after it "could not wait to take action" in response to rising infant mortality rates throughout the state, according to a Thursday, Aug. 21, news release.

According to officials, data shows the overall infant mortality rate in Mississippi has increased to 9.7 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2024, "which is the highest in more than a decade." Infant mortality rate data from 2023 was not included in the news release. But in 2022, according to public records, Mississippi had a mortality rate of 9.2 deaths per 1,000 live births. Infant deaths include those occurring within the first year of life. As stated by officals, 3,527 babies have died before the age of 1 since 2014 in Mississippi.

Officials said the emergency declaration allows the state Department of Health to mobilize resources more quickly and work with partners throughout the state to reverse the trends. "Too many Mississippi families are losing their babies before their first birthday," State Health Officer Dr. Dan Edney said in the release. "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. "Declaring this a public health emergency is more than a policy decision; it is an urgent commitment to save lives. Mississippi has the knowledge, the resources and the resilience to change this story. It will take all of us — policymakers, healthcare providers, communities and families — working together to give every child the chance to live, thrive and celebrate their first birthday."

Health officials said the leading causes of death in Mississippi include congenital malformations, preterm birth, low birth weight and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). The "best way to reduce infant mortality" is by improving maternal health, Edney said. "That means better access to prenatal and postpartum care, stronger community support and more resources for moms and babies. Healthy women of childbearing age are more likely to have healthy pregnancies, which in turn lead to healthier babies," Edney said in the press release.

The state Department of Health is urging other clinical leadership to coordinate "intra-agency resources" to develop a joined system to address the public health emergency and help children "see their second birthday."

https://www.clarionledger.com/story/news/2025/08/21/infant-mortality-rate-declared-public-emergency-mississippi-health-officials-say/85758507007/