Mississippi has declared a public health emergency in response to an alarming surge in infant mortality, a crisis that now claims nearly 10 infants per 1,000 live births in the state, almost double the national average. The declaration marks the first time the state has used its emergency powers to address maternal and infant health, underscoring the scale and urgency of the crisis.
In 2022, infant mortality at the national level rose 3% from the previous year, reaching 5.6 infant deaths per 1,000 births. While that increase was troubling it pales in comparison to Mississippi’s far more severe and disproportionate crisis.
State Health Officer Dr. Dan Edney said the announcement was necessary because “every single infant loss represents a family devastated, a community impacted, and a future cut short.” Since 2014, more than 3,500 Mississippi babies have died before their first birthday, with 2024 alone marking the highest mortality rate in over a decade.
Behind these statistics are stark racial disparities and systemic inequities. Black infants in Mississippi die at rates more than twice that of white infants: 15.2 per 1,000 live births in 2024, a 24% increase in just one year, even as the rate for white infants declined.
Nearly half of the state’s counties are classified as “OB deserts” or “maternity care deserts,” with no local obstetric care available, forcing many families to travel hours for prenatal visits or delivery. For those living in rural areas or with limited income, such barriers make timely care nearly impossible.
According to a 2024 report from March of Dime, an infant and maternal health nonprofit, about a third of US counties do not have a single obstetric clinician. The President and CEO of March of Dime, Cindy Rahman, said in a statement. “Although Mississippi accounts for less than 1% of US births, the state accounts for more than 1.6% of all infant deaths.”
In Texas, a report by JAMA Pediatric found a link between rising infant mortality in Texas and the state’s abortion restrictions, which were one of the strictest in the nation. The researchers pointed to increased rates of preterm births and high-risk pregnancies carried to term as potential drivers of the uptick. Mississippi, which led the case that overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022 and now enforces a near-total abortion ban, faces similar dynamics: fewer options for maternal care, greater pressure on already limited health systems, and higher risks for both mothers and infants.
Access to healthcare is further complicated by Mississippi’s limited Medicaid coverage. While nearly 60% of births in the state are financed through Medicaid, eligibility remains narrow, and thousands of low-income women fall into a “coverage gap” that leaves them without affordable insurance before, during, and after pregnancy.
The state has not expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act, a decision that public health experts say directly contributes to poor maternal and infant outcomes. Mississippi recently extended postpartum coverage from 60 days to 12 months, but this step, while important, does not replace the need for broader expansion that would ensure continuous care for women of childbearing age.
Mississippi’s emergency is a stark reminder that reproductive justice is not just about the right to choose, but also the right to safe pregnancy, healthy childbirth, and the ability to raise children with dignity and security. Declaring a public health emergency is an important step, but lasting change will require bold investments in healthcare access, racial equity, and maternal support systems.
