Mississippi's 2024 Public Health Report Card shows improvements in some areas, but high rates of preventable deaths from heart disease, hypertension, obesity, and diabetes persist. The state's ranking in America's Health Rankings has improved, but infant and maternal mortality rates remain concerning. There have been reductions in opioid overdose deaths and HIV and tuberculosis rates. The report calls for action to reduce preventable deaths and invest in long-term health solutions.
Public health report card highlights high preventable death rates in Mississippi by Gwen Dilworth, Mississippi Today January 28, 2025 Mississippi earned low marks for preventable deaths related to heart disease, hypertension, obesity, and diabetes, and high marks for declining opioid overdose deaths and school-aged vaccination rates on its public health report card for 2024.
The state has moved to being ranked 49th in the country – up from 54th last year – in America's Health Rankings, which were released Tuesday, said State Health Officer Dr. Daniel Edney at a press conference at the State Capitol in Jackson. “The number is not what’s important, it’s the lives that have been saved that this number represents,” he said. The annual report, which reviews the state’s health indicators and highlights areas of progress and those in need of improvement, is produced by the Mississippi Department of Health and the Mississippi State Medical Association. Mississippi has high rates of preventable deaths from heart disease, hypertension, obesity, and diabetes. The report estimates that over 195,000 years of life were lost before age 75 in Mississippi due to preventable deaths in 2024. Mississippi has long led the country in child vaccination rates, but slipped to third in 2024 following a federal ruling that decreed parents can opt out of vaccinating their children for school due to religious beliefs. There has been a “modest improvement” in maternal and infant mortality rates in the state, though Mississippi is ranked 45th and 50th, respectively, in those categories. Edney called the state’s high infant mortality rates “absolutely unacceptable.” Daniel Edney speaks to the media about the Mississippi State Department of Health’s 2024 Public Health Report Card at the Capitol in Jackson, Miss., on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025. The report highlights key health indicators, showcasing progress and identifying areas needing improvement across Mississippi. There has been a reduction in opioid related overdose deaths in the state for the past two years, Edney reported, and the state had the 14th lowest opioid overdose rate in the nation in 2023. HIV and tuberculosis rates have also declined. Dr. Jennifer Bryan, the president of the Mississippi State Medical Association, said the report is “a call to action for physicians, lawmakers, and community leaders to work together to reduce preventable deaths and invest in long-term health solutions for our state.” Bryan said she hoped to see lawmakers pass legislation addressing consumption of kratom, an herbal substance that can be bought at gas stations and produces effects similar to opioids and stimulants and can be addictive. Bryan and Edney both declined to publicly call for Medicaid expansion but said health insurance coverage and access to primary care physicians and routine screenings are essential to ensuring the health of Mississippians. Bryan said she hopes legislators will “get creative” and find a way to ensure more Mississippians have access to health coverage. Lawmakers came close but did not succeed in passing Medicaid expansion during last year’s session. The state remains one of 10 to not expand Medicaid. Edney said that the Department of Health will focus on school-aged health promotion, obesity, diabetes and a new obstetric system of care – a not-yet-implemented program that would designate hospitals’ level of obstetric care to serve patients with varying levels of risk – in the coming year. The Department of Health made a small request for increased appropriations from the state Legislature for the coming year, focusing on several new programs to train early-career doctors and help Mississippians enroll in health insurance coverage. This <a target="_blank" href="https://mississippitoday.org/2025/01/28/public-health-report-card-highlights-high-preventable-death-rates-in-mississippi/">article</a> first appeared on <a target="_blank" href="https://mississippitoday.org">Mississippi Today</a> and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.<img src="https://cdn.mississippitoday.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/06074517/MT_icon-logo-favicon-1-200x200.png" style="width:1em;height:1em;margin-left:10px;"><img id="republication-tracker-tool-source" src="https://mississippitoday.org/?republication-pixel=true&post=1131293&ga4=G-VSX4B701MS" style="width:1px;height:1px;"><script> PARSELY={ autotrack: false, onload: function { PARSELY.beacon.trackPageView; } } </script> <script id="parsely-cfg" src="//cdn.parsely.com/keys/mississippitoday.org/p.js"></script>Gwen covers community health for Mississippi Today. Originally from North Carolina, she previously reported for The Times-Independent and The Salt Lake Tribune in Moab, Utah, where she covered local government and Southeast Utah’s mining industry. Prior to her career in journalism, Gwen worked in non-profit criminal defense in New Orleans and attended the University of Virginia.
PUBLIC HEALTH PREVENTABLE DEATHS MISSISSIPPI HEALTH REPORT CARD INFANT MORTALITY MATERNAL MORTALITY OPIOID OVERDOSES HIV TUBERCULOSIS
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Oklahoma City Thunder's December Report CardThe Oklahoma City Thunder had a phenomenal December, going 12-1 and solidifying their position at the top of the Western Conference. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander continued his MVP-caliber play, while Jalen Williams experienced a slump but impressed defensively.
Read more »
Dunleavy's Legacy: A Report Card on His GovernorshiopAn analysis of Governor Mike Dunleavy's legacy during his time as Governor of Alaska, highlighting both positive and negative aspects of his administration.
Read more »
New York Giants Week 18 Report Card: Philly FlopThe Giants struggle to make the grade (again) in their 20-13 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.
Read more »
Health Advocates to Push for Public Health Legislation in ClevelandHealth advocates will hold a press conference in Cleveland to promote public health legislation aimed at addressing health disparities. Multiple organizations, including the Cuyahoga County Progressive Caucus and the Northeast Ohio Black Health Coalition, will be present to discuss urgent health challenges facing the city.
Read more »
New Report Suggests Even Moderate Drinking May Be RiskyA draft report from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services suggests that even moderate alcohol consumption could pose health risks. The report, which analyzed weekly alcohol intake levels and their impact on health, highlights a 68% increase in unintentional injuries for both men and women who drink three drinks daily compared to those who consume less. While the report doesn't provide specific recommendations, it aims to inform the development of future U.S. dietary guidelines on alcohol consumption. This could lead to stricter recommendations, though the Distilled Spirits Council has criticized the report, calling it 'biased' and questioning its methods.
Read more »
HHS Communications Freeze Disrupts Public Health UpdatesA communications freeze imposed by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has disrupted regular public health updates, including the publication of the CDC's weekly Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. The pause, which affects all agencies within HHS, has sparked concern among public health experts who rely on these timely reports for critical information about disease trends and public health recommendations.
Read more »