Infant Mortality Rises in Southeast, Officials Concerned

There is a disturbing trend in Mississippi and other nearby southeastern states. Infant mortality rates which officials have vigilantly battled for years to lower have begun to increase rapidly. Infant mortality rates are rising in areas of large black populations where poverty abounds and good medical care needs are many. This increase in infant deaths have raised questions about the ramifications of cuts in welfare, Medicaid ( which is free health care provided by the government ), poor access to doctors, nutritional low cost food availability and especially prenatal care.There has also been an alarming growth in obesity, diabetes and hypertension among women of child bearing age in these locations. One doctor that represents the National Perinatal Association, has stated that the rise does not seem to be a fluke, but a growing problem. State officials are investigating various causes that may lie behind these alarming statistics denying the obvious.

Officials in Mississippi have been left shaking their heads as death rates (defined as death during the time span from birth through the age of one) has gone from 9.7 deaths per thousand infants in 2004 to 11.5 in 2005. National averages for the year 2003, which was the last year that figures had been compiled nationwide, were listed on average of 6.9 deaths per thousand infants. The deaths among black children in Mississippi was an alarming 17 infant deaths per thousand children born in 2005. This was up from 14.2 in 2004. The rise means that 65 more babies died than in the previous year.