The Mississippi State Department of Health has declared a public health emergency after it "could not wait to take action" in response to rising infant mortality rates throughout the state, according to a Thursday, Aug. 21, news release.

According to officials, data shows the overall infant mortality rate in Mississippi has increased to 9.7 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2024, "which is the highest in more than a decade."

Infant mortality rate data from 2023 was not included in the news release. But in 2022, according to public records, Mississippi had a mortality rate of 9.2 deaths per 1,000 live births .

Infant deaths include those occurring within the first year of life. As stated by officals, 3,527 babies have died before the age of 1 since 2014 in Mississippi.

Officials said

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