Mississippi Health Watch, September 2026: Babies, Blood Pressure, Rural Care, and Careers
Each month, our team reads the health news coming out of Mississippi so our supporters and partners can see the big picture in a few minutes. This September brought sobering numbers, encouraging research, new federal dollars for rural care, and real opportunities for young people. Here is what stood out, and what it means for our work in Grenada, Mississippi.
Infant mortality: a hard number with a clear link to mothers' health
September is Infant Mortality Awareness Month. The Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) reports that the state's infant mortality rate rose to 9.7 deaths per 1,000 births in 2024, up from 8.9 in 2023. That is the highest rate in a decade, and Mississippi continues to have the highest rate in the nation.
According to MSDH, many of these deaths are tied to low birthweight, premature birth, and health conditions in mothers, including high blood pressure, diabetes, and obesity. The department also reports that Black infants are three times as likely as White infants to die soon after birth because of extreme prematurity.
The state has responded. MSDH declared a public health emergency in 2025, launched an OB System of Care to connect mothers with the right level of care, and is working to close gaps in prenatal care. It also offers free resources such as safe-sleep supplies and home visiting programs in some counties. Families can find these on the MSDH maternal and infant health page.
Why it matters to us: High blood pressure is often thought of as a concern for older adults. MSDH's findings are a reminder that blood pressure in young women affects the health of the next generation, too.
Team care lowered blood pressure in Mississippi clinics
A study published in April in the New England Journal of Medicine tested a team-based approach to high blood pressure at 36 community health centers in Louisiana and Mississippi. These clinics serve patients regardless of their ability to pay. According to a summary from lead institution UT Southwestern, about 1,270 patients with uncontrolled blood pressure took part, and most had low household incomes.
Clinics in the intervention group combined several steps:
Care shared among doctors, nurses, and community health workers
A standard treatment plan for reaching blood pressure goals
Home blood pressure checks at least three times a week, shared with the care team
Coaching from community health workers on medicines and daily habits
Regular reviews of clinic results, with feedback to clinicians
Over 18 months, the top number of patients' blood pressure fell by about 16 points on average in the team-care clinics, compared with about 9 points in clinics that received guideline training only. Rates of serious side effects were similar in both groups.
A few cautions are worth noting. The study measured blood pressure, not heart attacks or strokes directly, although researchers expect lower readings to reduce those risks. It was also carried out in one type of clinic, and STAT News reported that the study period overlapped with COVID-19 disruptions. This is research news, not medical advice. Anyone concerned about their blood pressure should talk with a health care provider.
Why it matters to us: Home blood pressure checks and trusted community helpers were part of what worked. Regular blood pressure monitoring is critical for preventive healthcare.
Federal rural health dollars start reaching Mississippi providers
On September 14, the Governor's office announced 167 awards totaling about $104.1 million through the Mississippi Rural Health Transformation Program. The money comes from the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. It is part of a $205.9 million first-year budget, and the state's application to CMS describes about $1 billion in investment over five years.
This first round funded technology upgrades, projects to close gaps in care, and telehealth. Several awards focus on high blood pressure through remote patient monitoring:
Tallahatchie General Hospital: about 400 patients with high blood pressure and diabetes across three rural clinics
East Central Mississippi Health Care in Leake County: about 1,300 patients with high blood pressure and other chronic conditions
Coastal Family Health Center in Harrison County: rural and low-income patients with uncontrolled high blood pressure
Closer to home, a Grenada County provider, JWM Therapy Services, received about $19,000 to expand outpatient physical, occupational, and speech therapy for children. Neighboring Yalobusha General Hospital received awards to upgrade imaging and expand breast cancer screening.
More is coming. The Governor's office said awards for the program's workforce and psychiatric emergency services initiatives are expected within 30 to 45 days, and new funding opportunities are planned for October. Updates are posted on the program's website.
Healthcare careers: pathways open to young people in our region
The upcoming workforce awards show how central training and keeping healthcare workers is to the state's plans. For students in and around Grenada, two pathways stand out.
Rural Medical & Science Scholars (Mississippi State University). This summer program lets students who are finishing their junior year take a college-level health professions course, shadow healthcare professionals, and live on campus. According to the Rural Health Information Hub listing, applicants need an ACT composite score of at least 20. The program fee is $2,600, and limited scholarships are available, some for specific counties. The 2026 session ran June 7 to 19, with applications due April 13, so students should watch for 2027 dates this winter. The program reports that since 1998, 540 students from 72 of the state's 82 counties have taken part, and 58 have gone on to medical school.
Holmes Community College, Grenada Campus. Holmes offers practical nursing and associate degree nursing programs at its Grenada campus, including an evening and weekend nursing track. The college's health science programs also include EMS/paramedic, surgical technology, and therapy assistant training.
Why it matters to us: Our scholarships and mentoring can help local students take these first steps, from ACT preparation to program fees to applications.
Where the Foundation fits
This month's news points to places where community support can make a difference:
Blood pressure monitoring. Research continues to show that regular checks and follow-up help people bring their numbers down.
Mothers' health. Healthy blood pressure before and between pregnancies is part of protecting babies.
Emergency readiness. Mississippi requires CPR and AED instruction in high school health or physical education, and public schools have needed cardiac emergency response plans since the 2024–25 school year. Our Red Cross-certified CPR and AED training helps more neighbors be ready to act.
Future health workers. Scholarships and mentoring can open doors to careers that Mississippi communities need.
Thank you for standing with Mississippi families. If you would like to support this work, please visit maxeys.org/donate.
Sources
MSDH: Infant Mortality Awareness Month release (Sept. 2, 2026)
STAT News: coverage of the hypertension study (Apr. 8, 2026)
Office of Governor Tate Reeves: Rural Health Transformation awards (Sept. 14, 2026)
CMS: Mississippi Rural Health Transformation application abstract
Mississippi Rural Health Transformation Program: funding page
Rural Health Information Hub: Rural Medical & Science Scholars listing
American Heart Association: Mississippi school cardiac emergency plan law
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