General Health Statistics
-During the last century the life span of the average American increased 25 years. With a longer life comes the need to address many health concerns that become more pronounced the longer we live.
- We can avoid many infectious diseases by something as simple as washing our hands more often; we can get a flu shot; we can get more exercise and eat more nutritiously.
Common illnesses that can be avoided:
Many of the illnesses and injuries we face are preventable. The preventive actions we can take are really just a matter of good, basic hygiene and safety measures:
- Wash fruits and vegetables before eating
- Abstain from sex or use a condom correctly and consistently
- Use insect repellant and eliminate sources of standing water around your home
- Get vaccinated. If traveling to foreign countries, you may need additional vaccinations.
- Don't do drugs. Especially, don't do drugs intravenously.
- Wear sunscreen.
- Don't smoke or use chewing tobacco.
Source: South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control
Common Illnesses and statistics facing South Carolinians (updated 12/16/08)
Breathing Disorders
Breathing problems can be the result of many different conditions, such as Asthma, Chronic Bronchitis, or Emphysema. These are called chronic lower respiratory diseases. In 2004, these diseases were the fifth leading cause of deaths in South Carolina.
Cancer
Cancer is the second leading cause of death among South Carolinians. Cancers strike all age groups, genders, and races, but African Americans are more likely to die from certain cancers, like breast cancer and prostate cancer.
Cardiovascular Diseases
Heart disease and stroke are the principal components of cardiovascular disease (CVD). CVD claims 35 lives a day in South Carolina, making it the leading cause of death. High blood pressure is a major risk factor for both CVD and stroke.
Dental and Oral Disease
Tooth decay can lead to pain, absences from school and from work. It can also lead to health problems like sinus or gum infections, toothache, and tooth loss. In spite of the progress made in preventing tooth decay, almost 25 percent of children and adults still have untreated tooth decay. Good oral hygiene and preventive services can save time and money, improves health, and increase self-esteem.
Diabetes
Diabetes is the seventh leading cause of death in South Carolina. This chronic disease is a national health problem, as the incidence rises and the age of those affected goes down. Diabetes, also commonly called "sugar" in the blood, is a serious, lifelong illness. More than 8 percent of South Carolinians have been told they have diabetes.
Family Violence
There were 35,124 victims of domestic violence in South Carolina in 2004. Forty-four of those victims died. South Carolina ranked sixth in the nation for the number of women killed by men. In 2004, there were more than 6,000 confirmed cases of child abuse.
HIV/AIDS
In 2005, 774 cases of AIDS were newly diagnosed. There are now more than 12,000 diagnosed cases of AIDS in South Carolina. There are more than 20,000 cases of HIV. Nearly thirty percent of those are women. Nearly three-quarters of those are African Americans.
Influenza (FLU)
CDC scientists estimate that every year, 5 to 20 percent of the population gets the flu. Each year, more than 200,000 people are hospitalized from flu complications and about 36,000 people die from flu. In 2004, South Carolina had 767 flu and pneumonia deaths. According to the Centers for Disease Control, a higher percentage of minorities are affected by the flu.
Metabolic Syndrome
Metabolic syndrome is not a specific disease, but it indicates a higher risk of developing serious diseases like type 2 diabetes, kidney failure, heart disease, and stroke. Metabolic syndrome is the condition of having several health problems at the same time, such as insulin resistance, high blood pressure, obesity, and abnormal cholesterol levels. In South Carolina, where 61 percent of adults are overweight, 26 percent are obese, 9 percent have diabetes, and almost 30 percent have high blood pressure, metabolic syndrome is a serious health problem. |
