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Healthcare in Mississippi

Mississippi faces among the most severe healthcare workforce challenges in the nation, with approximately 6,100 active physicians and a per capita rate of just 209 per 100,000, one of the lowest in the country. The University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMMC) in Jackson serves as the state's only academic medical center, Level I trauma center, and children's hospital, making it the critical healthcare hub for the entire state. Mississippi has one medical school at UMMC, which has expanded class sizes and invested in rural training programs. The state's health outcomes rank among the poorest nationally, with high rates of heart disease, diabetes, obesity, and infant mortality, driving immense demand for healthcare services that the workforce struggles to meet. Rural hospital closures have been a crisis in Mississippi, with the Delta region and rural southern counties losing essential healthcare infrastructure. The state has not expanded Medicaid, and approximately 10 percent of the population remains uninsured. Community health centers are vital primary care providers, particularly in the Delta. Telehealth has become essential for connecting rural patients with specialists in Jackson. Hattiesburg, Tupelo, and the Gulf Coast communities of Biloxi and Gulfport serve as secondary healthcare centers, though their capacity is limited compared to the overwhelming need across the state.