With one of the highest infant mortality rates in the U.S. – ranking worst in the nation in 2021 at a rate of 9.3 deaths for 1,000 births – Mississippi health officials are aiming to raise awareness during Infant Mortality Month about children who die before their first birthday in the state.
The Mississippi Department of Health and other public health agencies partner each September to highlight the issue that has plagued the Magnolia State. The rate showed slight improvement from 2021, decreasing from 9.3 to 9.2 in 2022, according to the most recent data.
The goal of the month is to shine the spotlight on social determinants of health and the prevention of preterm and early-term births.
“From the Department of Health and the Office of Women’s Health, I want to take a moment to thank those individuals who have played a key role in the positive trends we are seeing in relation to infant health,” State Health Officer Dr. Daniel Edney said. “The rate of infant deaths in Mississippi is showing an improvement but still remains too high.”
A state’s infant mortality rate is often an indicator of its population’s overall health. In a news release, MSDH noted the importance of making the public aware of social determinants of health, such as poverty and access to health care, that directly affect the health of infants.
MSDH has multiple programs that provide access to free resources, including:
- Community baby showers that provide pack-n-plays, sleep sacks, and car seats.
- Healthy Moms/Healthy Babies Program offers home visitation, parental and caregiver education, and other safe sleep resources through a partnership with Cribs for Kids.
- Healthy Birthday, Inc.’s Count the Kicks initiative for the prevention of stillbirths.
- Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program (MIECHV) focuses on healthy development and family well-being.
- Partnership with Jackson State University in the Maternal Center of Excellence, where MSDH will implement a home visitation program encompassing community health workers to help families become healthy and prepared for a newborn.
- Early intervention services for children with identified social service, developmental and medical needs.
- Genetic and newborn screening and counselling for infants born with genetic disorders.
- Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis and Treatment Program (EPSDT) screenings at health departments to identify any potential issues during critical stages of development, as well as immunizations that prevent infant death in the first year.
“We must continue the strategies and initiatives that are being implemented by the hard-working MSDH team members and community partners in order to improve maternal and infant health outcomes,” Edney said. “While this is a slow-moving process, I am positive that we will continue to persevere in this work for the sake of our babies and mothers. I look forward to seeing what this team of dedicated individuals can do to accomplish for the women, children, and infants of Mississippi.”
Communities and families should also be proactive by following these recommendations to lower infant mortality risks:
- Improve infant-safe sleep practices to reduce sleep-related deaths.
- Promote early entry into prenatal care (first trimester).
- Eliminate alcohol and tobacco during pregnancy.
- Improve the health of women before and in between pregnancies.
- Lower the risks of pre-term deliveries among pregnant women.
