MS Infant Mortality Rate Drops at All-Time Low

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) – Infant mortality in Mississippi hit an all-time low last year.

The Mississippi State Department of Health tells news outlets the infant mortality rate dropped to 8.2 infant deaths per 1,000 live births.

The department also noted that the state has seen a significant trend in reducing infant deaths since 2005. Officials say there has been a 28 decrease in the infant mortality rate since 2005. Additionally, there was a 15 percent decrease from 2013 to 2014.

Officials also say one factor that has contributed to the low rate is ensuring that infants sleep in safe environments, on their backs and in cribs.

The department also noted that the mortality rate for black infants was 11.2 per 1,000 births last year, compared to a rate of 5.9 for white infants.