Mississippi drops to record low for infant deaths
By Michaela Gibson Morris
Daily Journal
TUPELO – Infant mortality in Mississippi has hit an all-time low, dropping to a rate of 8.2 infant deaths per 1,000 live births.
The Mississippi State Department of Health announced the milestone in reducing infant deaths, noting the state has seen a significant trend since 2005. In all, the infant death rate is down 28 percent since 2005. Since 2013, the improvement has accelerated, with a 15 percent drop.
Even as public health advocates celebrate the improvement, they say there remains much to be done.
“Mississippi continues to have one of the highest rates of infant mortality in the United States,” said State Health Officer Dr. Mary Currier in a press release. “Thanks in part to special funding provided by the state legislature, Mississippi is doing more than ever to address the issue of infant mortality by working with partners to reduce preterm births, eliminate tobacco use by and around pregnant women, and prevent sleep-related deaths.” There is still a significant racial disparity. The 2014 black mortality rate was 11.2 per 1,000 births versus the white mortality rate of 5.9.
Preterm births are the leading cause of infant mortality, and Mississippi has seen the rate of preterm births – babies born before 37 weeks gestation – drop to an all-time low. There also has been a statewide campaign to reduce elective deliveries before 39 weeks gestation.
Most of Mississippi’s maternity hospitals, including North Mississippi Medical Center in Tupelo and West Point, OCH Regional in Starkville, Baptist Memorial Hospitals in New Albany and Oxford and Merit Health-Gilmore in Amory, have pledged to reduce the elective, early arrivals by requiring documentation that any scheduled Caesarian sections and inductions before 39 weeks are medically necessary.
The Tupelo and New Albany hospitals were among the first recognized for meeting the goal of 5 percent or fewer elective deliveries.
The efforts earned Mississippi prestigious recognition from the March of Dimes, although the state remains one of the states where improvement is needed most.
“We know that much work must still be done, but Mississippi has the potential to continue our successful trend,” Currier said. “We continue to work to improve our birth outcomes through outreach, education and improved access to care.”
michaela.morris@journalinc.com