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Mississippi remains deadliest state for babies

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Mississippi remains deadliest state for babies, CDC data shows

Mississippi babies are likelier to die before their first birthday than infants anywhere else in the country, according to data released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Thursday.

The had an infant mortality rate of 8.12 per 1,000 births, well above the national average of 5.42 in 2020, the most recent year for which the national data is available. , second from the bottom, saw 7.59 deaths for every 1,000 live births.ย 

Mississippi has had the country’s highest infant mortality rate for years. In 2019, the state topped the list with a rate of 8.71.

Black babies are twice as likely to die as their white counterparts in Mississippi. In 2020, the infant mortality rate among white infants was 5.7, to 11.8 among Back infants, according to health department figures. In 2019, 322 babies died before their first birthday in the state. Nearly 60%, or 185, were Black, though Black infants accounted for just 43% of births.ย 

Nationally, the leading cause of infant mortality is birth defects. But in Mississippi, premature birth and pregnancy or delivery complications as well as sudden infant syndrome (SIDS) are the leading causes. Mississippi has the country’s highest rate of premature birth, which is linked to chronic conditions like high blood pressure and diabetes among mothers.ย 

The infant mortality rate is one of the many indicators in which Mississippi โ€œis not just 50thโ€ but โ€œ50th by a mile,โ€ as state health officer Dr. Daniel Edney put it during the first hearing held by the Senate Study Group on Women, and Families on Tuesday.ย 

The group, which was created by Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, heard speaker after speaker indicate that the state is not prepared for the additional high-risk pregnancies that will occur in the wake of Mississippi’s ban.

The health department estimates the state will see an additional 5,000 births every year.ย 

The Senate commission hearing, chaired by Sen. Nicole Boyd, R-Oxford, made clear that extending postpartum Medicaid coverage from 60 days to 12 months will be a priority for the Senate in the next session. But the legislation likely faces an uphill battle in the House, where Speaker Philip Gunn, R-Clinton, killed the measure last year, claiming it would expand Medicaidโ€“ though it would not make more people eligible for the program.ย 

And while experts say extending Medicaid coverage after birth would reduce maternal mortality and improve infant health as well, it would not help ensure women are healthy when they become pregnant. The Senate commission heard data indicating that one in six women of childbearing age are uninsured, making it hard for them to get care to manage conditions like hypertension that increase the risk of poor birth outcomes.ย 

This article first appeared on Mississippi Today and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.

Mississippi News

News anchor dropped after social media post telling Trump-haters supporting Harris: ‘Stay home, donโ€™t vote’

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www.foxnews.com – – 2024-11-04 11:51:00

SUMMARY: David “Dave” Elliott, a anchor for in for nearly 40 years, was fired after expressing political views on social . He revealed on Facebook that his termination was due to his political opinions, specifically mentioning a where he advised people not to vote out of hatred for Donald Trump. Elliott characterized his social media posts as satire, distinguishing them from his professional work. He noted that the discussion with his station’s general about his dismissal was brief, and the topic of social media was raised. WLOX’s management declined to comment on the matter.

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Mississippi News

National Women’s March held in Tupelo brings locals together

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www.wcbi.com – Kaleb Green – 2024-11-02 22:19:00

SUMMARY: The Women’s March in , Mississippi, joined national marches advocating for women’s rights, coinciding with in Washington D.C. and other . Organized by Indivisible Northeast Mississippi, the march influential speakers who emphasized the importance of personal autonomy and women’s involvement in societal issues. Participants expressed gratitude for the ‘s significance in a small town, with speakers urging women to fight for their rights and control their own bodies. The message for young women included themes of independence and empowerment, encouraging them to pursue their goals bravely. The Tupelo march was part of a larger movement encompassing similar events in and Hattiesburg.

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Mississippi News

‘Get Out to Vote’ rally encourages citizens to cast their ballots

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www.wcbi.com – Khamari Haymer – 2024-11-02 20:01:00

SUMMARY: Elected in Columbus, Mississippi, are promoting voter participation ahead of election day through a โ€œGet Out to Voteโ€ rally hosted by Representative Kabir Karriem and District Supervisor Leroy Brooks. The provided food and drinks while emphasizing the significance of exercising rights. Karriem stressed the importance of voting, stating every citizen should participate. Brooks, reflecting on the historical struggles for voting rights, underscored that voting should be a natural part of civic engagement. The rally took place in front of the Lowndes County Courthouse, encouraging community members to take action.

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