The Trump administration’s restructuring of the CDC has forced Mississippi to halt data collection for the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS), a crucial national database used for maternal and infant health policy. This interruption stems from the dismantling of the CDC’s Division of Reproductive Health, which oversaw PRAMS and lost much of its staff due to federal worker purges. The lack of comprehensive data from PRAMS will likely hinder efforts to improve maternal and infant health, particularly as Mississippi grapples with a surging infant mortality rate and seeks to address racial disparities in outcomes. Experts worry that this halt in data collection will lead to increased maternal and infant mortality rates.
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Mississippi has declared a public health emergency due to a sharp increase in infant mortality, with the rate reaching its highest level in over a decade, and a rate of 9.7 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2024. Leading causes of infant deaths include congenital malformations, preterm birth, low birth weight, and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. The health department plans to address the issue by expanding access to obstetric care, strengthening community health programs, and educating families. This rise comes after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, which restricted access to healthcare in Mississippi and potentially contributed to the increase.
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Pertussis, or whooping cough, is surging in Louisiana and across the US, with cases reaching a decade-high. Two infant deaths in Louisiana highlight the severity of the illness, particularly for unvaccinated infants. Experts attribute the increase to waning vaccine immunity and declining vaccination rates, coupled with reduced access to healthcare in some areas. Urgent calls for vaccination, including prenatal vaccination and “cocooning” of infants’ households, aim to mitigate the outbreak and protect vulnerable populations.
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A recent study in JAMA Pediatrics reveals a concerning post-Dobbs decision increase in infant mortality rates, particularly among infants with congenital anomalies. This rise, showing a 7% overall increase and a 10% increase in anomaly-related deaths, is attributed to abortion bans preventing terminations of pregnancies with fatal fetal conditions. The study analyzed national CDC data from 2018-2023, highlighting spikes in infant deaths in specific months following the Supreme Court ruling. These findings directly contradict claims that abortion bans protect infant lives, instead demonstrating a tragic and foreseeable consequence of restricted reproductive healthcare access.
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Following Texas’s abortion ban, a sharp increase in infant mortality and abandoned newborns has been observed, with babies found dead in various locations. This surge is directly linked to the abortion ban, compounded by reduced funding for prenatal care and family planning, and fear of deportation among undocumented immigrants seeking medical assistance. Despite a “safe haven” law, lack of funding and awareness campaigns renders it ineffective, highlighting a lack of genuine concern for infant lives by Texas Republicans. Instead of supporting such programs, resources are funneled into crisis pregnancy centers, revealing a prioritization of punishment over the well-being of women and infants.
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Infants died at higher rates after abortion bans in the US, and the implications of this reality hit hard. It’s a heartbreaking consequence of a political landscape that often prioritizes ideology over genuine care for human life. When I reflect on the research showing that more infants are lost post-abortion bans, it elicits a fierce frustration within me. It’s a bitter irony that the very movement posing as ‘pro-life’ ends up producing the opposite effect, leading to increased suffering and loss.
Most of these infants lost to higher mortality rates come from scenarios marked by congenital anomalies and birth defects. In these cases, the decision to carry a pregnancy to term is rife with emotional turmoil.… Continue reading
I am utterly shocked and disturbed upon reading the tragic news of the babysitter pleading guilty to manslaughter for the 2019 death of a man she injured as a baby in 1984. The impact of her actions goes beyond words, as the ripple effect of her momentary lapse of temper resulted in lifelong suffering and ultimately, a devastating loss of life.
Reading about the various accounts of shaken baby survivors who struggle with profound disabilities and limitations due to the actions of those entrusted to care for them is heart-wrenching. The stories shared of children robbed of their abilities to walk, talk, and lead fulfilling lives due to the irreversible damage caused in their infancy serve as a stark reminder of the power and responsibility that comes with caring for vulnerable individuals.… Continue reading
As a resident of Texas, it’s disheartening to learn about the increase in infant mortality rates in our state following the implementation of the six-week abortion ban. The statistics are alarming, showing a 13 percent rise in infant deaths before their first birthdays, with the primary cause being congenital defects or chromosomal abnormalities. It’s devastating to think about the babies who are born only to endure a short life of pain and suffering due to these conditions.
The idea of forcing women to carry a child to term, knowing that the baby has little chance of survival outside the womb, is simply inhumane.… Continue reading
John Q. Hosedrinker