Mississippi State Medical Association outlines public health opportunities at Day at the Capitol

Published 5:22 pm Thursday, January 22, 2026

Jackson, Miss. — Mississippi is making progress in several key public health areas, but significant challenges remain, according to the 2025 Public Health Report Card. The Mississippi State Department of Health and the Mississippi State Medical Association presented the annual report Wednesday during MSMA’s Day at the Capitol.

The Report Card provides a data-driven snapshot of Mississippi’s health outcomes, highlighting encouraging declines in several prevention-related areas alongside continued concerns related to infant mortality, chronic disease, and firearm deaths.

“The Public Health Report Card gives us a clear, data-driven picture of where Mississippi stands and where we must continue to focus our efforts,” said Dr. Katherine Pannel, MSMA president. “Physicians across our state see these issues firsthand every day, and this report shows the importance of collaboration between healthcare providers and policymakers to improve outcomes for all Mississippians.”

Pannel presented the findings alongside MSDH Executive Director and State Health Officer Dr. Dan Edney, who emphasized both measurable progress and ongoing public health challenges across the state.

“We are encouraged by several areas in this report card, including the decreasing rates of opioid related deaths, HIV, syphilis, congenital syphilis, teen births and accidental deaths here in Mississippi. Those significant decreases prove that our work is moving the needle in the right direction. We still have challenges to reduce preventable deaths in the areas of maternal and infant mortality, obesity, hypertension and heart disease. We are making strides as our latest overall national health ranking puts Mississippi at 48, up from 50 just three years ago. While that new ranking shows promise, our goal is to not only get us off the bottom of national rankings, but to take us out of the conversation and become a model for how things can change,” Edney said.

The report identifies infant mortality as one of Mississippi’s most urgent public health challenges. In 2024, the state’s infant mortality rate increased to 9.7 deaths per 1,000 live births, the highest level in more than a decade. In response, MSDH has implemented a statewide strategy that includes activation of the OB System of Care, designed to better coordinate maternal and neonatal services for high-risk mothers and infants.

The report also highlights notable progress in several areas. Teen birth rates declined from 24.9 per 1,000 females in 2023 to 22.8 in 2024, while accidental deaths decreased from 81.4 to 74.2 per 100,000 residents. Mississippi continues to rank among national leaders in immunization, with school-required vaccination rates exceeding 97.66%, placing the state third nationwide. Opioid-related deaths also declined in 2024, with 301 reported fatalities, giving Mississippi the 10th lowest opioid overdose death rate in the nation.

Despite these improvements, the report presents ongoing challenges. Heart disease remains the leading cause of death in Mississippi, and the state continues to rank near the bottom nationally for chronic conditions such as obesity, hypertension, diabetes, maternal mortality, and infant mortality. Firearm deaths also remain a serious concern, with 810 firearm-related deaths recorded in 2024, the highest rate in the nation.

MSMA’s Day at the Capitol is an annual event that brings physicians and healthcare leaders together to engage with legislators on healthcare priorities affecting Mississippi.

To learn more about MSMA, visit msmaonline.com.