Mississippi Declares Public Health Emergency Amid Rising Infant Mortality

The Mississippi Department of Health has declared a public health emergency in light of rising infant deaths linked to unusual movements. This declaration aims to expedite efforts to address care gaps in the state.

Experts warn that reducing the state’s infant mortality rates will prove challenging, especially with ongoing changes in the federal public health landscape.

“This Mississippi declaration is a bold and necessary step to bring infant mortality to levels of emergency crisis response,” said Michael Warren, Chief Medical Officer of March of Dimes, emphasizing the seriousness of the situation.

As of 2024, Mississippi’s infant mortality rate has escalated to 9.7 deaths per 1,000 births, according to state health data. Since 2014, over 3,500 infants in the state have not reached their first birthday.

This crisis isn’t just a local issue; similar trends are evident in other states like California and New Jersey, which are launching initiatives to improve maternal and infant health.

However, Mississippi has held the highest infant mortality rate in the nation since 2017, as noted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Major contributors to infant mortality here include congenital malformations, low birth weight, and accidents.

Mississippi Health Officer Dan Edney has laid out plans to counteract this crisis, including educating families on safe sleep practices as well as enhancing healthcare access for pregnant women in rural areas lacking obstetric services.

“Improving maternal health is key to reducing infant mortality,” remarked Edney. “When women are healthy during pregnancy, they tend to give birth to healthier babies.”

Joia Crear-Perry, an OB-Gyn and president of the National Birth Equity Collaborative, echoed this sentiment, pointing out that addressing maternal health directly correlates with better infant health outcomes.

“The U.S. has the worst obstetric health outcomes among high-income countries,” she noted, highlighting the impact on both mothers and babies.

Experts have also pointed out that recent abortion restrictions significantly affect fetal mortality rates. Following the 2022 overturn of Roe v. Wade, states implementing bans have seen an uptick in infant deaths, particularly affecting infants with congenital issues.

State health data indicate that congenital abnormalities have been the leading cause of infant deaths in Mississippi between 2022 and 2024, accounting for 172 infants lost due to such conditions.

While there may be hope for Mississippi officials to improve these mortality rates, factors like recent changes within the federal Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) present obstacles. Notably, substantial layoffs have dismantled crucial divisions within the CDC focused on maternal and child health.

The Pregnancy Risk Assessment and Monitoring System (PRAMS), which gathers essential data on maternal and infant deaths, faced suspension earlier this year. This raises concerns about understanding how factors such as health coverage, income, and prenatal care impact outcomes.

The Senate Budget Committee has approved funding initiatives aimed at boosting maternal health programs, with a $3 million increase for CDC programs focused on improving outcomes.

Despite this, the former administration demonstrated little interest in reinstating laid-off CDC staff. A former employee noted the long-term impact of losing experienced personnel, stating that regaining that level of expertise could take decades.

Future Medicaid changes are also poised to complicate efforts to combat rising infant mortality. In Mississippi, about 24% of residents had Medicaid coverage in 2023, and the program covered 57% of state births that same year.

Projected federal tax and spending cuts could mean over 12 million low-income Americans lose health insurance by 2034, according to the Congressional Budget Office. This scenario could lead states to make tough decisions, including cutting Medicaid programs, which could worsen the situation.

Inadequate coverage can also contribute to the closure of rural hospitals and reduce the availability of OB-Gyn services in states like Mississippi.

“Most infant deaths stem from social factors and maternal health, not just medical care,” shared a former CDC employee, highlighting the challenges posed by staff cuts.

A spokesperson for HHS stated that the CDC is prepared to support states amid public health emergencies to safeguard the health of Americans.