Life expectancies for S.C. woman in poor areas getting shorter

Morning News
Published: June 17, 2008

Life expectancies for women living in South Carolina’s poorest areas appear to be stagnating or getting shorter. Data collected and examined during a 16-year span (1983-1999) by researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health and the University of Washington demonstrates this trend in 18 of the state’s counties. These include Chesterfield and Marion in the Pee Dee. Similar shortcomings were found in several states, particularly those in the South.

It is no surprise the lowest life expectancies are being experienced in counties with the highest poverty rates. And it’s likewise no shocker that obesity, along with its deadly spawn — heart and pulmonary problems, cancer, diabetes and hypertension — is being fingered as a major culprit.

What is alarming, though, is that this is the first time women seem to be disproportionately affected. While 4 percent of the nation’s male population has seen life expectancies decrease (thanks to rising HIV/AIDS rates and homicide), 19 percent of its women is facing what is considered an early demise through chronic disease.

But you’ve got to go deeper than the figures presented here for the most stunning consideration of all. In this age of high-tech medical advancements, in the most powerful country in the world, our hurtling toward a healthier future is being steadily slowed or reversed for men and women alike.

This “should worry us all,” James Marks of the Robert Woods Johnson Foundation said in response to the study. “These counties may be the canary in the coal mine (indicating) the deterioration in the U.S. health standing relative to the rest of the world.”

The crisis in South Carolina, according to the Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease, is chronic disease. If you live here, chances are you will die or suffer a disability because of it. In fact, health experts consider the Palmetto State to be in a chronic disease crisis with nearly 1.5 million residents afflicted.

While early death and deterioration of the quality of life are certainly humanitarian concerns, we realistically must consider the economic effects. The state is experiencing serious financial burdens — billions of dollars worth — in the form of rising health care costs and indirect costs associated with lost productivity. The Partnership estimates the price tag at about $11 billion right now.

Women, wake up and pay attention to your health. If you have a weight problem, get help for it. If you already have a chronic disease, seek regular medical attention and follow your doctor’s instructions. Your children — especially your daughters, who likely will follow your path — will thank you for doing so.

Let’s also remember, though, that we’re losing South Carolinians of both genders to the effects of obesity and poverty. While there’s a modicum of personal responsibility required to change the lethal tides through prevention and lifestyle choices, fiscal changes must be explored that will ensure all South Carolinians have access to medical care. We’d like to hear your suggestions and thoughts on what is certainly a complex issue.

We’d also like to hear about community programs aimed at reducing health care disparities. For example, the American Cancer Society is recruiting volunteers for “Road to Recovery,” a program that will provide transportation to clinics, doctors’ offices and hospitals for cancer sufferers in need. Lang Hunt, ACS transportation solutions manager, said the need for reliable transportation is growing in the Pee Dee and it’s not uncommon for patients to miss lifesaving treatments because of a lack of transportation.

If you’re interested in knowing more or volunteering, call Denise Richbourg Fitz at (843) 213-0333 for details on upcoming training sessions. Your involvement in programs such as this can be an excellent first step in reversing declining life expectancies for everyone.