Healthcare Access in Saluda County
An interactive analysis of key challenges to access to care in the Lakelands region.
The Five Pillars of Healthcare Access
Access to healthcare in rural communities like Saluda 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
Saluda 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 Carolina Health Centers for basic needs.
Pillar II: Workforce & Availability
Saluda County is a "healthcare desert" for inpatient and specialized care. There is no hospital within county lines, forcing residents to travel to Greenwood (Self Regional), Newberry, or Lexington. The primary care burden falls almost entirely on a small number of FQHC sites and private practices.
The patient-to-provider ratio of over 6,000:1 is staggering. With no local OB/GYNs, expectant mothers face significant travel burdens, often complicating prenatal care consistency and increasing the risk of adverse birth 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 (over 3,600 per 100k), indicating that many residents delay care until their conditions require hospitalization outside the county.
With 3,629 preventable stays per 100k, Saluda County exceeds the rates of many peer counties. This metric underscores the urgent need to expand primary care capacity and chronic disease management within the county to prevent unnecessary travel to regional ERs.
Pillar IV: Affordability
Economic factors heavily influence health outcomes here. With nearly a quarter 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 (approx. 26% for children) 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
Saluda County depends on a mix of state, federal, and regional hospital system investment. Carolina Health Centers brings significant federal dollars (Section 330 funding) to the area, while Self Regional Healthcare provides essential philanthropic and clinical support from neighboring Greenwood.