MSDH Launches Saving the Smallest Infant Mortality Campaign

Jackson, Miss. — More babies are born preterm in Mississippi than anywhere else in the nation, and our infant mortality rate is significantly higher than the national average. The Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) is hoping to change that with the launch of our "Saving the Smallest" Infant Mortality Campaign on Friday, January 23, recognized nationally as Maternal Health Awareness Day.

"We cannot and will not accept these numbers as our reality," said Dr. Dan Edney, MSDH Executive Director and State Health Officer. "Improving maternal health is the best way to reduce preterm births and infant mortality. Healthy women of childbearing age are more likely to have healthy pregnancies, which in turn leads to healthier babies who live to celebrate many birthdays."

More than 5,000 babies were born preterm in Mississippi in 2024, consistent with the 2023 rate, and the state has high rates (14.7%) of inadequate prenatal care with significant racial disparities: Babies born to Black moms face a preterm birth rate of 18.5%, compared to 12.7% for White moms.

The good news is that by spreading public awareness of the issues driving preterm births and infant and maternal mortality, and adopting safe prenatal and infant-care behaviors, we can improve both the number of babies born full term, and our infant and maternal mortality rates.

The "Saving the Smallest" campaign highlights these life-saving recommendations:

• Prenatal care and early appointments/interventions
• Prenatal nutrition — 44.5% of moms are an unhealthy weight
• Substance use prevention, especially the avoidance of ingesting nicotine
• Safe sleep practices
• SIDS prevention
• Importance of attending postnatal/infant checkups
• Infant nutrition/breastfeeding, if possible.

For more information on steps you should take to have a healthy full-term pregnancy and a baby who lives to celebrate their first birthday, visit everybabyfirst.com