South Carolina’s Health Status

According to the United Health Foundation, in 2008 South Carolina ranked 48^th in the nation for good health. That’s a drop of six from 2007 when the state was ranked 42^nd. The reason for this drop in health? There are many challenges. In the last five years, the rate of uninsured population increased by 36 percent. In the last year alone, the percentage of children in poverty increased by 35 percent. South Carolina also suffers from a low high school graduation rate with 60.1 percent of incoming ninth graders who graduate within four years. There is a high prevalence of obesity with 29 percent of the population suffering from this disease.

In South Carolina, access to health care varies significantly by race and ethnicity in the state. Forty-two percent of Hispanics lack health insurance compared to 16.3 percent of non-Hispanic whites.