Working together for healthier birth outcomes in Mobile County 5-18-26
May 18, 2026
Working together for healthier birth outcomes in Mobile County
MOBILE, Ala. — The Mobile County Health Department (MCHD) is sharing five years of community data on fetal and infant deaths to strengthen awareness, encourage action, and support healthier outcomes for mothers and babies across our community.
From 2021 through 2025, our community recorded the following fetal and infant deaths:
• 2021 – 64
• 2022 – 68
• 2023 – 73
• 2024 – 53
• 2025 – 60
These numbers tell a story of both concern and opportunity. After increases from 2021 through 2023, our community saw a meaningful decline in 2024, followed by an increase again in 2025. While 2025 remained below the 2023 peak, every loss is significant, and every number represents a child, a grieving family, and a future forever changed.
“This report is a call to action for all of us,” said Dr. Kevin Michaels, Mobile County Health Officer. “Behind every number is a family that deserves support, answers, and hope. We must continue working together to improve access to prenatal care, reduce risk factors, promote safe infant sleep, and ensure families receive the care they need before, during, and after pregnancy.
The Mobile County FIMR Program, known as the Alabama Baby Coalition, began in 1998 and continues to be active in improving pregnancy outcomes. The coalition is a multidisciplinary team consisting of a broad range of professional organizations and public and private agencies that provide services and resources for women, infants and families. The team reviews case summaries, identifies issues and makes recommendations for community change. The recommendations are shared with community leaders who can direct change.
The health department urges the community to stay focused on prevention by supporting early prenatal care, regular medical visits, management of chronic health conditions, smoking and substance use prevention, safe sleep education, and strong postpartum support. These are not only healthcare issues; they are community issues that require partnership among families, healthcare providers, faith leaders, educators, and local organizations.
Our commitment remains clear: to learn from these losses, strengthen prevention efforts, and work toward a future in which more babies reach their first birthday and more families experience healthy pregnancies and healthy births. For more information about maternal and infant health services, contact Yvonne Baynard at 251-694-5007 or visit https://mchd.org/community-health.