Experts say where you live could have a serious impact on how long and how well you live.
The annual County Health Rankings were released this week.
The report ranks South Carolina’s 46 counties in terms of health factors like education, income, community safety, access to care, diet and exercise, and alcohol and drug use that experts say contribute to how long a person can live. The study also compares South Carolina stats to the national average.
Horry County had the highest ranking in our area at #17, while many counties in the Pee Dee area were at the bottom of the list.Here’s how the counties in our viewing area rank as far as length and quality of life:
#17- Horry
#22- Georgetown
#33 Florence
#35 Darlington
#44 Marlboro County
#45 Dillon
#46 Marion
News 13 reached out to representative who both worked in the healthcare industry in the Pee Dee for many years and now helps create these rankings.
Ericka Burroughs-Girardi, a community coach with County Health Rankings and Roadmaps, who performed the study, said the cycle of poverty means poorer areas like Marion, Dillon, and Marlboro Counties–which already fall behind in employment and educational opportunities–often lack adequate access to quality medical care.
Burroughs-Girardi also explained that Marion County has been making efforts to fix its healthcare situation even before this week’s rankings were released.
“Marion County is already starting to take action to improve its health outcomes,” Burroughs-Girardi said. “They’re looking at education, health, income, they’re looking at a variety of factors that ultimately shape health outcomes.”You can see more on the study here on their website.
