A recent state scorecard on women’s health and reproductive care by The Commonwealth Fund has identified Mississippi as the lowest-ranking state for women’s health care in the United States, underscoring significant challenges in access and outcomes.
Released by The Commonwealth Fund, the scorecard evaluates all 50 states and Washington, D.C., on their provision of reproductive care and overall health care for women. States such as Massachusetts, Vermont, and Rhode Island ranked highest, highlighting stark geographical disparities in healthcare access across the nation.
Joseph Betancourt, President of The Commonwealth Fund, emphasized the critical impact of location on health outcomes during a press call, stating, “It serves as glaring reminder that where you live matters to your health and health care.”
Mississippi’s bottom ranking is attributed to several factors, including its notably high maternal mortality rate, elevated rates of cervical and breast cancer deaths, and a complete ban on abortion following the closure of the state’s last abortion clinic in 2022.
The maternal mortality rate in Mississippi stands at 44.6 deaths per 100,000 live births from 2020 to 2022, surpassing the national average of 26.3 deaths per 100,000 live births. This stark statistic is compounded by the state’s severe shortage of maternity care providers, with only 60.4 providers per 100,000 women aged 15 to 44—significantly lower than the national average.
Mississippi also faces one of the highest rates of breast and cervical cancer deaths among southern states, further exacerbated by lower rates of regular mammograms and Pap smears compared to national averages. Approximately 14% of women in Mississippi lack health insurance, further limiting access to essential health services.
Dr. Betancourt pointed out that southern states, including Mississippi, consistently report the highest rates of breast and cervical cancer deaths in the country, reflecting systemic healthcare challenges and disparities in preventive care and treatment.
The findings underscore urgent needs for policy interventions and healthcare improvements to address disparities and ensure equitable access to comprehensive women’s health care across all states.
The Commonwealth Fund’s report aims to provide a critical baseline for understanding and addressing the complex dynamics influencing women’s health outcomes in the U.S., particularly in regions facing significant healthcare access challenges.
As policymakers and advocates navigate these issues, the report calls for concerted efforts to improve health equity and outcomes for women in Mississippi and beyond, particularly in marginalized communities with limited access to reproductive and preventive care services.
