Mississippi Infant Mortality Rate Reaches Highest Level in Over a Decade
The Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) has declared a public health emergency after releasing alarming new data showing that the state’s infant mortality rate has reached its highest level in more than 10 years.
According to MSDH, the infant mortality rate rose to 9.7 deaths per 1,000 live births, nearly double the national average of 5.6. Since 2014, more than 3,500 infants in Mississippi have died before their first birthday.
Health officials say the leading causes of infant deaths include:
- Congenital malformations (birth defects)
- Preterm birth
- Low birth weight
- Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)
Mississippi has long ranked near the bottom in national health outcomes, but officials stress that this spike in infant deaths highlights urgent needs around maternal care, access to healthcare, and safe infant care practices.
To respond, MSDH announced several immediate actions:
- Launching an Obstetrics System of Care to improve coordination of maternal and infant services.
- Expanding prenatal care in underserved areas and working to eliminate “OB deserts.”
- Strengthening programs such as Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies to provide home visits and early care.
- Expanding community health worker programs to support mothers and newborns.
- Increasing education on safe sleep practices to reduce preventable deaths.
“This is not just a health statistic—it is a crisis impacting families across Mississippi,” health leaders emphasized. “Every infant lost is a life cut short, and every family affected deserves better.”
MSDH says these steps are part of a larger effort to reverse the trend and improve outcomes for mothers and children across the state.
