Louisiana has an infant mortality crisis

Louisiana has an infant mortality crisis

For dear life: Louisiana has an infant mortality crisis, Andrea Gallo reports. The state's infants die at a rate higher than the national average and those of almost two dozen developed countries around the world. The children's mothers often fare no better, despite the fact that four of five pregnancy-related deaths are preventable.

Williams out: Orleans Parish District Attorney Jason Williams will not run for governor, Tyler Bridges reports. Williams' decision ends speculation that he would get into the race and potentially hurt the chances of fellow Democrat Shawn Wilson. Qualifying for Louisiana elections begins Tuesday and runs through Thursday.

Sharon Hewitt: If Sharon Hewitt's underdog bid for Louisiana governor succeeds, she says she'll be more measured and collaborative than Attorney General Jeff Landry, James Finn reports. If elected, the state senator and former Shell engineer would be the first Republican woman to hold the role.

Numbers to Know

200 infants die in Louisiana each year

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Black infants are 3.6 times more likelyto die from premature birth and low birth weight than White infants

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Black mothers are more than twice as likely to die from pregnancy-related causes as White mothers

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Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

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