JACKSON, Miss. — Mississippi mothers face the highest risk in the nation of delivering prematurely or losing an infant before the first birthday, according to a new March of Dimes report card that assigns the state an F and ranks it 52nd for maternal and infant health.
What the report found and why it matters
The March of Dimes identified high rates of preterm births and infant mortality as the leading contributors to Mississippi’s ranking. The report frames the situation as a public-health challenge with direct consequences for families and communities across the state.
Medical providers and state officials say the numbers reflect real people in crisis — not abstract statistics — and they underscore longstanding gaps in access to care, particularly in rural counties that have lost obstetric services in recent years.
Voices from the medical front line
Physicians who treat pregnant women and newborns responded to the report by stressing both the human cost and incremental progress. Dr. Norman Connell, an OB hospitalist in Mississippi, said the figures represent individual mothers and children.
"Numbers are helpful in trying to guide policy and procedure, but to myself and everyone on the ground, it’s a mommy. Numbers don’t mean anything when it’s you,"
Dr. Lisa Bukovac, chief clinical officer at OBHG, urged attention to improvements already under way even as the state remains last in the nation. She emphasized that change will require sustained effort and systemic reforms rather than expecting overnight fixes.
State response: emergency declaration and system redesign
Nearly a year ago, State Health Officer Dr. Dan Edney declared a public-health emergency to address Mississippi’s rising infant mortality rate. State leaders are pursuing a redesigned obstetric system intended to get mothers and babies to the appropriate level of care quickly and to close gaps in coverage.
Edney has described the problem of so-called "OB deserts" — low-population counties where maintaining full obstetric services is not economically feasible. The state’s strategy focuses on bolstering public-health measures and creating systems to bridge those gaps so that women in remote counties can access appropriate care.
National context
March of Dimes officials say Mississippi’s struggles mirror a broader national trend in which counties across the United States continue to lose essential OB services. Honour Hill, the organization’s director of maternal and infant health initiatives, cautioned that declines in local services are a widespread problem even as states attempt to improve access.
Officials argue the loss of local obstetric capacity contributes directly to higher rates of preterm birth and neonatal complications, particularly when expectant mothers must travel long distances or face delays reaching higher-level care.
Practical steps and areas for attention
State and health-system leaders point to several priorities as they work to improve outcomes:
- Strengthening the regional OB system so patients are triaged to the right facilities promptly
- Addressing geographic gaps in coverage and supporting public-health interventions in counties without local OB services
- Continuing provider training and resource allocation aimed at preventing preterm births and improving neonatal survival
Officials say these measures are underway but will take time to produce measurable results.
At-a-glance: how Mississippi compares
| Measure | Report finding |
|---|---|
| Overall state ranking | 52 of 52 (last) |
| Grade | F |
| Primary drivers | High rates of preterm birth and infant mortality |
The March of Dimes report underscores a complex problem involving clinical, economic and geographic factors. While state officials and clinicians point to progress in some areas, the ranking highlights the scale of work remaining to ensure mothers and infants across Mississippi receive timely, effective care.
As policymakers and health systems pursue reforms, families, advocates and providers say they will be watching for evidence that investments in the OB system and public-health strategies translate into fewer preterm births and higher infant survival rates.
