Introduction to Mississippi’s Public Health Emergency
Mississippi’s health officers have declared a public health emergency after data revealed that the state’s infant mortality rate has increased to its highest level in over a decade. In 2024, 9.7 infants died per 1,000 live births in Mississippi, nearly double the latest national average of 5.6 deaths per 1,000. Since 2014, more than 3,500 Mississippi infants have died before their first birthday.
Children’s Mortality Rate a Nationwide Concern
The declaration of a public health emergency is part of a broader national trend. Even in cities with strong health systems, such as Boston, black infants continue to die at much higher rates than their white counterparts. According to Boston’s latest report, black infants died at more than twice the rate of the total population and three times the rate of white infants, despite the city’s overall infant mortality rate being below the national average.
What Causes a Higher Child Mortality Rate?
The primary causes of infant death in Mississippi include congenital malformations, premature births, low birth weight, and sudden infant death syndrome. Racial disparities persist, with black infants in Mississippi more than twice as likely to die before their first birthday as white infants. These disparities have expanded, according to the latest state data.
Why an Emergency for Public Health Was Declared
State officials declared the emergency to enable faster action to address gaps in care. Their plan includes expanding prenatal services in counties without obstetric providers, creating a regionalized system of obstetric care, and improving emergency transfers, as well as strengthening home visiting and community health worker programs. Improving the health of mothers is crucial to reducing infant mortality, according to Dr. Dan Edney, the state health officer.
Health Programs and Child Health
Medicaid plays a significant role in Mississippi, financing almost one in six births in the state, compared to about one in four nationally. In 2023, the state expanded postpartum Medicaid coverage from two months to a full year. However, Mississippi has not expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act, leaving many low-income women without insurance before or between pregnancies. Federal funding cuts have also hindered the state’s response.
Addressing the Root Causes of Infant Mortality
Experts warn that individual and clinical interventions alone cannot solve the problem of infant mortality. Healthy babies come from healthy mothers, and continuous healthcare before, during, and after pregnancy is essential. The treatment of infant deaths often misses the broader reality, reflecting the challenges mothers face, including poverty, access to healthcare, housing, and transportation.
The Importance of Data-Driven Solutions
The Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS), a program that collects state-specific data on maternal and infant health, was slated for elimination. The loss of this program would leave the state without robust data to inform its response to infant mortality. Surveys indicate that most Americans support maintaining programs like PRAMS, which are crucial to improving maternal and infant health outcomes.
Conclusion
The United States has long treated child mortality as a measure of social health, with high infant death rates reflecting underlying inequalities. Mississippi’s emergency declaration and the persistent disparities in Boston suggest that these inequalities remain deeply entrenched. State officials aim to galvanize coordinated action among hospitals, state authorities, and community groups to address the root causes of infant mortality and give every child the chance to live, thrive, and celebrate their first birthday.
