For Immediate Release
JACKSON, Miss. (August 11, 2026) — A new maternal health initiative is coming to Sunflower County. Powered by the Institute for the Advancement of Minority Health (IAMH), Mothers First Mississippi will provide pregnant women with access to the care, resources, and support necessary for healthier pregnancies and healthier outcomes for their babies.
The need for expanded maternal and infant health support is urgent. According to data from the Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH), 15% of babies born in Sunflower County have a low birth weight. The county experiences 20.5 preterm births for every 1,000 live births. Across Mississippi, the infant mortality rate reached 9.7 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2024. This was highest level in more than a decade (Mississippi State Department of Health). Low birth weight and preterm birth are among the leading contributors to infant mortality in Mississippi.
Mothers First Mississippi will connect women with prenatal care, remote health monitoring, care coordination and community resources from early pregnancy through the postpartum period. By helping women access care and essential services early, Mothers First Mississippi will help reduce disparities among mothers and babies in Sunflower County. Designed to meet women where they are and provide support, Mothers First Mississippi will connect participants to transportation, food, housing, and behavioral health services.
Funded by the Women’s Foundation of Mississippi, Mothers First Mississippi is a continuation of IAMH’s commitment to improving health outcomes in Sunflower County and communities in the Mississippi Delta. For more information email iamh@advancingminorityhealth.org.
____________________________________________________________________________________
The Institute for the Advancement of Minority Health was established in 2019 to reduce health disparities among disadvantaged and underserved minority populations in Mississippi through the development of collaborative partnerships with community stakeholders and the implementation of evidence-based public health interventions with a particular focus on health equity.