infant mortality

Louisiana’s Surgeon General Dr. Ralph Abraham confirmed Thursday that two infants have died in the last six months amid an ongoing whooping cough outbreak in the state, and said vaccines are the best way to protect against infections.

Louisiana is at “rock bottom” for infant health, according to March of Dimes. The state, which continues to see high preterm birth and infant mortality rates, earned an “F” grade for infant health in a new report from the nonprofit.

Louisiana ranked toward the bottom in the nation for maternal and infant health outcomes in an annual report put out by March of Dimes, an organization that promotes maternal and infant health across the United States through research, education and advocacy.

The rate of premature births in the United States has dropped to 11 percent, showing continued progress in preventing the risks of prematurity. But there are big disparities among the states.