📊 Mixed Health Rankings

South Carolina presents a complex health profile with the 11th highest overall mortality rate nationally at 996 deaths per 100,000 residents. The state’s life expectancy of 76.5 years ranks as the 9th lowest in the nation, reflecting ongoing health challenges across multiple areas.

Despite rapid population growth of 11.3% over the past decade (10th fastest nationally), South Carolina faces significant health disparities. The state has added over one million new residents in the past twenty years, but health outcomes have not kept pace with this growth.

🚗 Motor Vehicle Safety Crisis

South Carolina ranks as the 3rd most dangerous state for motorists with a vehicle mortality rate of 19.3 per 100,000 residents, trailing only Mississippi and Alabama. This alarming statistic reflects challenges with road infrastructure, driver behavior, and traffic safety enforcement.

The high rate of vehicle fatalities contributes significantly to South Carolina’s elevated accidental death rate, which ranks 11th highest nationally. For this reason, we often recommend that our clients consider purchasing an additional accidental death policy to supplement traditional life insurance coverage.

🔫 Violence and Crime Concerns

South Carolina has the 5th highest homicide rate nationally at 11 homicides per 100,000 people. The state consistently ranks among the top ten states for violent crime, and ranks 8th highest for all firearm-related deaths.

While the state’s suicide rate ranks closer to the middle (22nd nationally), it remains well above the national average, contributing to the overall mortality burden.

👶 Birth Outcomes Challenges

South Carolina faces significant challenges in maternal and infant health:

• Infant Mortality: 9th highest nationally at 6.97 deaths per 1,000 live births (tied with Ohio)
• Low Birth Weight: 7th highest rate for low birth weight babies
• Preterm Births: 8th highest rate of preterm births nationally

These statistics reflect ongoing challenges with prenatal care access, maternal health education, and healthcare infrastructure in rural areas of the state.

✅ Respiratory Health Success

One bright spot in South Carolina’s health profile is its consistently low pneumonia and flu mortality rate, which ranks well below the national average. This suggests effective vaccination programs and respiratory illness management compared to other states.

📈 Drug Overdose Management

South Carolina’s drug overdose death rate ranks 22nd nationally at 22.7 per 100,000, placing it in the middle range compared to other states. While still a concern, this is better than many southeastern states that have been heavily impacted by the opioid crisis.

💡 Life Insurance Considerations

Given South Carolina’s mixed health profile and higher mortality rates in several categories, we at IBUSA typically try to help South Carolina applicants first qualify for term life insurance with no exam.

For those that won’t be able to qualify for such policies, getting life insurance with a top company requiring a medical exam is still a viable option.

Finally, some people with pre-existing conditions may need to consider final expense insurance as an alternative.

⚖️ Obesity and Smoking Challenges

South Carolina faces significant lifestyle-related health challenges:

• Obesity: 10th highest adult obesity rate nationally
• Smoking: 17th highest adult smoking rate (tied with Montana)

These lifestyle factors contribute to the state’s elevated rates of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and other chronic conditions, creating a compounding effect on overall mortality rates.

🦠 Moderate COVID-19 Impact

Through August 2021, South Carolina’s COVID-19 mortality rate of 194 per 100,000 ranked 21st highest nationally, approximately 5% above the national rate. While concerning, this was better than many neighboring southeastern states that experienced more severe outbreaks.

Rapid Growth, Health Challenges

South Carolina’s demographic profile shows both opportunities and challenges:

• Population Growth: 11.3% increase over the past decade (10th fastest)
• New Residents: Over 1 million added in the past twenty years
• Age Demographics: Median age 40.1 years (12th oldest, tied with Michigan)
• Fertility Rate: Below national average, 22nd lowest at 58 per 1,000 women (tied with Georgia)
• Population Density: 167.01 per square mile (19th most dense)

The rapid influx of new residents has strained healthcare infrastructure and may contribute to some of the state’s health challenges, particularly in rural areas where medical resources are already limited.

Data Sources

U.S. Dept of Agriculture, Economic Research Service (citing U.S. Census Bureau, 2019)

Statista, Population Density in the U.S. by Federal States Including District of Columbia (2020)

StatsAmerica (Indiana Business Research Center), Median Age in 2019

CDC, National Center for Health Statistics, State & Territorial Data (2018-2019)

Kaiser Family Foundation, Number of Deaths per 100,000 Population (2019)

CDC, National Center for Health Statistics, Life Expectancy at Birth by State (2018)

CDC, National Center for Health Statistics, Fertility Rates by State (2019)

CDC, State Tobacco Activities Tracking and Evaluation System, Map of Current Cigarette Use Among Adults (2018)

Statista, Percentage of Adults with Obesity in the United States as of 2019 (2019)

New York Times, Coronavirus in the U.S.: Latest Map and Case Count (Aug. 12, 2021)

National Safety Council, Motor-Vehicle Deaths by State (2019)

United Health Foundation, America’s Health Rankings, 2020 Annual Report: South Carolina