Mississippi Declares Public Health Emergency Over Rising Infant Mortality Rate

The Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) declared a public health emergency in response to rising infant mortality rates across the state.

The Details: According to a release by MSDH, Mississippi's 2024 data shows the overall infant mortality rate has increased to 9.7 deaths per 1,000 live births–the highest in over a decade. The release said 3,527 babies have died in Mississippi before age 1 since 2014. Health officials said the leading causes of death in Mississippi include congenital malformations, preterm birth, low birth weight and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). MSDH said it would partner with agencies to improve maternal and infant care, expand prenatal access, and address gaps in services to help more babies survive their first year.

For Context: In 2024, Mississippi had the highest infant mortality rates in the country, according to the March of Dimes report card. According to KFF Health News data, 57% of Mississippi births were financed by Medicaid in 2023. Several states have passed legislation to improve maternal care, including Alabama, Virginia, and Connecticut, however AllSides couldn't find a previous example of infant mortality rates prompting another state to declare an emergency.

How the Media Covered It: Both the Washington Examiner (Lean Right bias) and CBS News (Lean Left) highlighted the infant mortality rates, and its disproportionate impact on black families. The Washington Examiner highlighted racial disparities in maternal care across states, and the impact of Medicaid cuts on infant and maternal health. CBS News framed the declaration within a broader Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) study that showed infant mortality rates rising for the first time in 20 years. It cited federal cuts as a whole, naming cuts to both Medicaid and The Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS), a CDC program, as factors that could contribute to higher infant mortality rates.

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