Mississippi has declared a public health emergency. The reason? A dramatic and deeply concerning rise in Mississippi infant mortality, now the highest rate in the country.
In 2024, Mississippi recorded 9.7 infant deaths per 1,000 live births, the worst in more than a decade. Black families have been hit especially hard, with an infant mortality rate over 15 deaths per 1,000 births, well over twice the national average for all infants.
For employers, this crisis is more than a distant statistic. It’s a direct workforce issue, one that affects the health, stability and satisfaction of current and future employees.
With the right benefits and support in place, employers can help change this trajectory.
What the Data Shows About Mississippi Infant Mortality
The leading causes of infant mortality, preterm birth, low birth weight and congenital issues, are strongly linked to gaps in maternal health care. In Mississippi, nearly half of all counties lack access to basic maternity care.
Without early prenatal support, education or community-based care, pregnancy becomes more dangerous and outcomes more uncertain.
That’s why organizations like the Mississippi Department of Health and the March of Dimes are calling for urgent action. This is where employers have a powerful role to play.
What This Means for Employers
Employees preparing for pregnancy or parenthood face major challenges, especially in regions with limited access to care. Delays in support often lead to:
- Increased complications and hospitalizations.
- Higher short- and long-term medical costs.
- Greater emotional stress and absenteeism.
- Reduced productivity and higher turnover.
By offering better pre-pregnancy education, accessible care and inclusive benefits, employers can directly improve outcomes—and help reduce the Mississippi and national infant mortality rate for parents and babies alike.
ARC Fertility Supports Healthier Pregnancies and Safer Births
ARC Fertility works with employers to ensure every employee, regardless of location, can access high-quality, affordable and supportive family-building care.
Here’s how ARC helps address the Mississippi and national infant mortality crisis:
Cost Transparency and Bundled Options: ARC offers packaged pricing that brings clarity and predictability to reproductive care, removing one of the biggest barriers to treatment and early planning.
Nationwide Access to Providers: With a national network of partner clinics, ARC helps employees find qualified care, even in areas where local options are limited.
Pre-Pregnancy Education and Risk Reduction: ARC Fertility provides science-backed tools to help employees prepare for pregnancy, improving fertility outcomes and reducing the risks of preterm birth or low birth weight.
Inclusive and Personalized Support: ARC’s Care Navigators work one-on-one with employees to guide them through treatment options, insurance planning and care timelines, especially critical for families in high-risk areas.
For Employers: Why Benefits Matter More Than Ever
In the face of rising infant mortality, the most effective interventions are early ones. Employers who invest in preventive care and family-building support see:
- Healthier pregnancies and birth outcomes.
- Lower healthcare costs over time.
- Higher employee satisfaction and retention.
- A more inclusive and trusted workplace culture.
With ARC Fertility, employers don’t have to build that infrastructure alone, ARC does the heavy lifting, so your teams can focus on building healthy families.
The Path Forward: Healthier Families, Stronger Workplaces
The Mississippi, and national, infant mortality crisis is a stark reminder that not every family has equal access to care. With the right benefits in place, employers can help close the gap.
ARC Fertility partners with organizations to deliver smart, inclusive and effective care solutions that support better outcomes, before, during and after pregnancy.
Contact ARC today to learn how we help employers improve care access, reduce risk and support every family-building journey.
