US EditionMississippi Declares Public Health Emergency over Rising Infant Mortality Rate | News Channel 3-12
Mississippi faces its highest infant mortality rate at 9.7 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2024, with Black infants disproportionately affected by a 24% increase, officials reported.
- On August 21, 2025, the Mississippi State Department of Health declared a public health emergency after an alarming rise in infant mortality, with rates over 60% higher than the national average.
- Underlying causes include prematurity, congenital malformations and maternal complications of pregnancy, with nearly half of Mississippi counties as maternity care deserts and limited obstetric clinicians.
- Provisional CDC data show twenty-four states reported rising infant mortality rates in 2024, highlighting a broader trend beyond Mississippi.
- The declaration allows the Mississippi State Department of Health to mobilize resources by activating standardized maternal-infant care, eliminating maternity care deserts, and expanding community health programs while March of Dimes urged protecting Medicaid covering nearly 53% of births.
- The crisis highlights that Black babies in Mississippi faced a 15.2 infant mortality rate, rising nearly 24%, while U.S. national rates rose for the first time in 20 years; CDC data will clarify trends later this year.
52 Articles
52 Articles
Mississippi declares public health emergency over rising infant mortality rate | News Channel 3-12
By Deidre McPhillips, CNN (CNN) — The Mississippi health department declared a public health emergency Thursday over rising infant mortality rates in the state. There were 9.7 deaths for every 1,000 births in Mississippi in 2024, the highest rate in more than a decade, according to a news release from the state health department. More than 3,500 babies in Mississippi have died before the age of 1 since 2014. “Every single infant loss represents …
Rutland Herald
Mississippi Infant Mortality Emergency Underscores US Health Crisis
ARLINGTON, Va., Aug. 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- On August 21, 2025, the Mississippi State Department of Health declared a public health emergency after reporting an alarming rise in infant mortality, on top of already leading the nation in infant death…
MSDH declares public health emergency on infant mortality - Daily Leader
The Mississippi State Department of Health has declared a public health emergency in response to rising infant mortality rates across the state. Mississippi’s 2024 data shows the overall infant mortality rate has increased to 9.7 deaths per 1,000 live births, which is the highest in more than a decade. In Mississippi, 3,527 babies have died before the age of 1 since 2014. “Too many Mississippi families are losing their babies before their first…
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 52% of the sources are Center
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
