Key Takeaways

Mississippi’s infant death rate hit 9.7 deaths per 1,000 births in 2024

Nearly half of Mississippi counties lack maternity care

Experts say Medicaid plays a critical role in maternal and infant care

MONDAY, Aug. 25, 2025 (HealthDay News) — Mississippi has declared a public health emergency after reporting its highest infant death rate in more than a decade.

In 2024, the state had 9.7 infant deaths for every 1,000 births, health officials said. That’s more than 60% higher than the national average and the state’s highest rate in more than a decade. Since 2014, more than 3,500 babies in Mississippi have died before their first birthday.

“Every single infant loss represents a family devastated, a community impacted and a future cut short," State Health Officer Dr. Dan Edn

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