— The number of babies in Mississippi being treated for congenital syphilis has jumped by more than 900% over five years, uprooting the progress the nation’s poorest state had made in nearly quashing what experts say is an avoidable public health crisis. “In a rural state like Mississippi, we’re going to have to look at where are the pockets of disease and how can we reach those mothers,” Henderson said, “but I also think our state really has got to look at investing in pregnant women, investing in their health. Then he waits, hopeful that follow-up tests will show progress