Lawmakers hold hearing to discuss potential ways to reduce infant mortality rate – WLBT

Report on Mississippi’s Infant Mortality Rate: A Call to Action for Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction: A Public Health Crisis in the Context of SDG 3

Mississippi is confronting a critical public health challenge regarding its infant mortality rate, an issue that directly impedes progress toward Sustainable Development Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-being). Specifically, this crisis undermines Target 3.2, which calls for an end to preventable deaths of newborns and children under five. A joint legislative hearing underscored the urgency of the situation, with State Health Officer Dr. Dan Edney highlighting the profound human impact beyond statistics, noting, “Every infant loss represents a devastated family, a grieving community, and a future cut short.” The state’s commitment to addressing this issue is a fundamental step toward ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all at all ages.

Analysis of Key Factors Contributing to Infant Mortality

A review of 2024 infant death certificates, presented by Neonatologist Dr. Randy Henderson, identified several critical factors that must be addressed to align with global health and equality standards.

• Neonatal Period Vulnerability: Over half of all infant deaths occurred within the first 28 days of life, with a high concentration of deaths of very preterm babies on their first day.
• Healthcare Access Disparities (SDG 10): A significant finding points to systemic inequalities in healthcare access, a direct concern of SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities). It was reported that 30% of infant deaths occurred in facilities lacking a Level 3 Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), indicating that outcomes are heavily dependent on geographic and economic factors.
• Preventable Sleep-Related Deaths: Sudden Unexpected Infant Death (SUID) was responsible for 23% of all infant mortality. A staggering 67% of these cases were linked to preventable sleep-related factors, highlighting a critical gap in public health education necessary for achieving SDG 3.

Proposed Interventions and Strategic Alignment with the SDGs

Lawmakers are considering a multi-pronged strategy that incorporates public health infrastructure, education, and economic support, reflecting a holistic approach consistent with the interconnected nature of the Sustainable Development Goals.

1. Establish a Coordinated System of Care (SDG 3 & SDG 10): A primary initiative is the establishment of a formal obstetrics system of care. This plan, which facilitates the transfer of mothers and babies to higher-level care facilities, is a direct action to improve health outcomes (SDG 3) and reduce care disparities (SDG 10).
2. Enhance Public Health Education: To combat the high rate of SUID, a renewed focus on educating parents and caregivers on the “ABC’s” of safe sleep (Alone, on your Back, in a Crib) is a crucial, low-cost intervention aimed directly at preventing infant deaths and advancing SDG 3.
3. Implement Economic Support Systems (SDG 1 & SDG 17): Addressing the socio-economic determinants of health, a proposal modeled on Michigan’s “Rx Kids” program was presented. This initiative targets poverty, a root cause of poor health outcomes, and is thus aligned with SDG 1 (No Poverty).
   • The program would provide direct financial aid: $1,500 to expectant mothers and $500 per month to infants.
   • This model represents a public-private partnership, a key strategy promoted by SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). A sum of $2 million in private funds is available, contingent upon a state match to pilot the program in high-need Mississippi communities.

Conclusion: A Comprehensive Path Forward

The Mississippi legislature is evaluating all options to reverse the state’s high infant mortality rate. The proposed solutions demonstrate a growing understanding that achieving SDG 3 requires a comprehensive approach that also addresses poverty (SDG 1), inequality (SDG 10), and leverages collaborative partnerships (SDG 17). These integrated strategies are essential for creating a sustainable future where every child has the opportunity to survive and thrive.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being: This is the most prominent SDG addressed in the article. The entire focus is on the high infant mortality rate in Mississippi, the causes of these deaths (preterm births, SUID), and the need for better healthcare access and systems. The article quotes State Health Officer Dr. Dan Edney, who states, “Every infant loss represents a devastated family, a grieving community, and a future cut short,” directly highlighting the health and well-being crisis.
• SDG 1: No Poverty: The article connects poverty directly to infant health outcomes. It introduces the Rx Kids program, which provides financial support to pregnant mothers and new babies. Dr. Mona Hanna explains the rationale: “It turns out that families are poorest right around the time of childbirth… Income drops and babies are super expensive.” This initiative is a direct response to poverty as a contributing factor to the public health crisis.
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals: The article highlights the importance of collaboration to solve the issue. The proposed Rx Kids program in Mississippi is described as a “public-private partnership.” The article mentions that “$2 million in private money is already raised and waiting for a state match,” which exemplifies the multi-stakeholder approach central to SDG 17.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Target 3.2: End preventable deaths of newborns and children under 5 years of age. The article’s central theme is reducing the “current infant mortality rate.” It provides specific data supporting this target, such as the finding that “more than half of those deaths happened in the first 28 days of life” (neonatal mortality) and that “23% of all infant mortality in 2024 were due to SUID,” which are preventable deaths.
2. Target 3.8: Achieve universal health coverage, including access to quality essential health-care services. The article identifies a clear “access to care issue.” Dr. Randy Henderson points out that “30% of the babies are dying at places without a Level 3 NICU, with inexperienced people taking care of them.” The plan to establish an “obstetrics system of care” for transferring mothers and babies to higher levels of care is a direct strategy to improve access to quality healthcare services.
3. Target 1.3: Implement nationally appropriate social protection systems and measures for all. The Rx Kids program is a perfect example of a social protection system. The article describes it as a program where “Every pregnant mom gets $1,500 in mid-pregnancy, and then every baby gets $500 a month.” This is a direct cash transfer system designed to provide a financial floor for vulnerable families at a critical time.
4. Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships. The article explicitly mentions the mechanism for funding the Rx Kids program in Mississippi. Dr. Mona Hanna states, “Any money that the state commits unlocks these dollars so we can pilot the program,” describing a public-private partnership where state funds are required to leverage $2 million in already-raised private money.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Infant Mortality Rate: This is the primary indicator mentioned throughout the article. The entire hearing and all proposed solutions are aimed at reducing the “current infant mortality rate.” This directly measures progress towards Target 3.2.
• Neonatal Mortality Rate: The article implies this indicator by stating that “more than half of those deaths happened in the first 28 days of life.” Tracking the reduction of deaths in this specific period is a key measure for Target 3.2.
• Percentage of deaths due to specific causes: The article provides statistics that can be used as indicators, such as “23% of all infant mortality in 2024 were due to SUID” and “67% of them definitely had sleep-related factors.” A reduction in these percentages would indicate progress in preventing these specific types of deaths.
• Percentage of births/deaths occurring in facilities without adequate care: The statistic that “30% of the babies are dying at places without a Level 3 NICU” serves as a baseline indicator for access to quality healthcare (Target 3.8). Progress would be measured by a decrease in this percentage.
• Amount of financial resources mobilized through partnerships: The article mentions “$2 million in private money is already raised and waiting for a state match.” This figure is a direct indicator of the financial mobilization for the public-private partnership, relevant to Target 17.17.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: wlbt.com