Jackson Faces High Asthma-Related Mortality Rates
The city now ranks third nationally in asthma deaths, highlighting persistent challenges for local patients.
Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Asthma
Live Poll
Is the quality of local healthcare services for chronic conditions getting better in your area?
Jackson now ranks third in asthma-related mortality among the 100 largest U.S. metropolitan areas. Residents face increasing challenges in managing the condition due to environmental and systemic factors as peak asthma season begins.
Why it matters
The rising difficulty in managing asthma locally reflects deep-rooted health disparities, including the impacts of poverty and a lack of health insurance. These barriers are compounded by limited local access to specialty care and air quality monitoring.
Data from the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America highlights Jackson's 36th-place ranking for asthma management challenges, while CDC data confirms 239 asthma-related deaths in Mississippi from 2020 to 2024. It remains unclear how much the relative absence of air quality monitoring—covering only 10 of 82 counties—obscures localized risk.
The players
Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America
A non-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for people with asthma and allergic diseases through research and advocacy.
American Lung Association
A national health organization focused on preventing lung disease and promoting lung health through research, education, and advocacy.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
The national public health agency that tracks mortality data and informs disease prevention strategies.
The details
Asthma causes chronic inflammation of the airways, which narrows them and severely limits oxygen delivery to the bloodstream. Management is significantly hindered in our area by the loss of rural hospitals and lack of transportation, which leads to missed clinical appointments. These structural issues are exacerbated by environmental factors like ragweed pollen and fall viruses, which trigger the peak asthma season that begins in early October.
Timeline
2020-2024: 239 Mississippians died from asthma.
2023: Jackson ranked 63rd in asthma management challenges.
2025: Jackson ranked 47th in asthma management challenges.
April 2026: The American Lung Association released its State of the Air report.
2026: Jackson reached 36th in asthma management challenges.
Health Landscape
These findings build upon the air quality trends tracked by the American Lung Association's State of the Air report. The current trajectory for the region stands in contrast to the historical improvements in asthma mortality rates seen nationally since the 1980s and 1990s.
Given the higher mortality rates, residents should proactively discuss an updated asthma action plan with their physician before the height of the fall season. Pay close attention to local air quality warnings, especially if you reside in an area without nearby monitoring stations.
The takeaway
Asthma-related health disparities continue to disproportionately affect Black Mississippians, who face mortality rates twice as high as white counterparts. It is critical for families to track symptom triggers during the autumn months and maintain a consistent communication line with a primary care provider.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest developments and care resources in Asthma.
Source note: This article includes information reported by DeSoto County News.
Live Poll
Is the quality of local healthcare services for chronic conditions getting better in your area?
