Healthcare Access in Marlboro County
An interactive analysis of key challenges to access to care in the Pee Dee region.
The Five Pillars of Healthcare Access
Access to healthcare in rural communities like Marlboro County is critical. We can understand it better by looking at four key pillars. Click each tab below to explore the data-driven challenges facing the county in each area.
Pillar I: Health Insurance Coverage
Marlboro County faces significant coverage barriers. While Medicaid supports a large portion of the youth population, the adult uninsured rate remains higher than the state average. This "coverage gap" limits preventative care, pushing many residents to rely on emergency services or CareSouth Carolina for basic needs.
Pillar II: Workforce & Availability
Since the closure of Marlboro Park Hospital in 2015, the county has been a "healthcare desert" for inpatient care. Residents must travel to Cheraw (McLeod Health), Laurinburg, NC (Scotland Health), or Florence for hospital services. The primary care burden falls heavily on FQHC sites and limited private practices.
The patient-to-provider ratio is staggering. With limited local specialists, expectant mothers and patients with chronic conditions face significant travel burdens, complicating care consistency and increasing the risk of adverse outcomes.
Pillar III: Utilization & Timeliness
Due to the lack of local acute care, utilization data reflects a system in distress. The rate of preventable hospital stays is exceptionally high, indicating that many residents delay care until their conditions require hospitalization outside the county.
With a high number of preventable stays per 100k, Marlboro County exceeds the rates of many peer counties. This metric underscores the urgent need to expand primary care capacity and chronic disease management within Bennettsville and surrounding areas to prevent unnecessary travel to regional ERs.
Pillar IV: Affordability
Economic factors heavily influence health outcomes here. With a significant percentage of children living in poverty, families often must prioritize immediate survival over medical costs. This financial strain leads to skipped medications and delayed treatment for chronic conditions.
High poverty rates correlate directly with the region's health challenges. Addressing affordability requires not just insurance expansion, but also reducing the "hidden costs" of care, such as the transportation costs required to reach out-of-county specialists.
Pillar V: Local Investment
Marlboro County depends on a mix of state, federal, and regional hospital system investment. CareSouth Carolina brings significant federal dollars (Section 330 funding) to the area, while McLeod Health and Scotland Health Care System provide essential clinical support from neighboring counties.