Arkansas earns ‘F’ on maternal, infant health report card
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — The March of Dimes has released its 2024 Report Card giving Arkansas an ‘F’ grade for its current state of maternal and infant health. According to the report, Arkansas has the highest infant mortality rate and one of the highest preterm birth rates in the country. In 2023, Arkansas’s infant mortality rate was 7.7%, and 12.1% of babies in Arkansas were born preterm. Both figures are significantly above the national average, placing Arkansas mothers and newborns at great risk.
Preterm births increase the likelihood of serious health complications for infants, including breathing issues, developmental delays and long-term disabilities, while also posing financial and emotional burdens on families and communities.
“Arkansas’s failing grade on the March of Dimes report card is a stark reminder that we must take immediate action to address our state’s maternal and infant health crisis,” said Ashley Bearden Campbell, executive director of Arkansans for Improving Maternal Health (AIM). “Our mothers and babies deserve access to highquality healthcare, resources and support.
This grade highlights that we must do more to ensure healthy outcomes for our youngest Arkansans.”
AIM urges policymakers, healthcare providers and community organizations to immediately prioritize improvements in maternal and infant healthcare. Key areas of focus should include expanding access to prenatal care, addressing disparities that impact preterm birth rates and increasing funding for maternal health programs across the state.
“The health of our mothers and infants must be a top priority,” continued Campbell. “We are calling on our community leaders and elected officials to invest in solutions that will make a measurable difference in reducing preterm births in Arkansas. By working together, we can build a healthier, safer and more supportive environment for all families.”
To read the full March of Dimes report, visit: https://www.marchofdimes. org.
About AIM
Arkansans for Improving Maternal Health (AIM) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving maternal and infant health outcomes in Arkansas. AIM advocates for policies that support healthy pregnancies, safe childbirth, and the well-being of mothers and infants across the state. Through education, advocacy, and partnerships, AIM is committed to creating a future where every Arkansas family has access to the resources they need to thrive. Learn more at aimforarkansas.org.
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POCAHONTAS — Three individuals were found dead in what authorities believe was a double murder-suicide in Pocahontas.
The incident was discovered on Monday morning, Nov. 4, when family members went to check
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on the residents of a home on Hospital Drive after unsuccessful attempts to reach them on Sunday.
Pocahontas police responded to the scene at approximately 7:45 a.m. after the family’s arrival raised concerns. Upon entering the residence, officers discovered the bodies of three individuals and immediately secured the area. Arkansas State Police were then called to assist with the investigation.
According to authorities, the deaths occurred sometime after noon on Sunday, Nov.
3, and are believed to be the result of a domestic situation in which the father allegedly took the lives of his wife and 14-year-old son before ending his own life.
Police identified the adult male as Nick Dawsey and the female victim as his wife, Hannah Dawsey.
Anyone with any information about this case is urged to contact the Pocahontas Police Department.
