Saralnama
In 2024, Mississippi had 9.7 infant deaths per 1,000 live births, the highest in over ten years. This rate rose from 8.9 in 2023. Since 2014, more than 3,500 babies died before their first birthday in the state. The infant death rate is much higher for Black families (15.2) than white families (5.8) per 1,000 births. Causes include preterm birth, low birth weight, and poor maternal health. Many rural areas lack maternity care, forcing women to travel far for help. The state has declared a public health emergency to improve prenatal care and reduce maternity care deserts. Officials want better support for mothers to lower infant deaths and help babies survive and grow. (Updated 26 Aug 2025, 23:21 IST; source: link)