Measles has been a popular topic amongst the media, as cases have arisen across the Upstate. For our November TATT Chat, we were joined by Dr. Kandi Fredere from the South Carolina Department of Public Health. Dr. Fredere gave us an update on how healthy South Carolina is compared to the rest of the United States.
As of Nov. 12, 2025, there have been 46 confirmed cases of Measles in the Upstate, with 97% of those being unvaccinated residents. Between 2019-2020, only 92.1% of kindergartners were received the MMR vaccine. We suspect that the number of vaccinated children may be even lower now. Measles can have severe complications like pneumonia, and even death. To learn more about measles cases in the Upstate, prevention, and government response please visit SCDPH’s website by clicking here.
Currently South Carolina ranks 40th in the country for life expectancy after birth. The average life expectancy across the state is between 75.2-77.5 years old, with rural communities often seeing lower numbers. This correlates with the number of residents that are uninsured, with the largest number coming from rural and downtown communities. 35% of South Carolinians have a BMI of 30 or higher, ranking us 29th in the country for obesity. To combat these issues, there are nine priority areas that SCDPH is focused on. To learn more about this effort and view the 2024 annual report on state health, visit the link below.
Alliance for a Healthier South Carolina 2024 Annual Report
Our November Resource Update was brought to us by Rebecca Maddox, Chief Executive Officer for the Phoenix Center. Since 1973, the Phoenix Center has been offering a safe place for people suffering from substance abuse to recover. It is primarily there for those who may not be able to afford to enter a recovery program. Out of 46 counties in South Carolina, only four of them have a publicly funded detox program. In 2024, the Phoenix Center helped 5,000 people with treatment, and another 21,000 in substance abuse prevention. Programs have been successful with an 82% reduction in alcohol abuse, and an 89% reduction in drug use. To learn more about the services offered by the Phoenix Center visit their website by clicking here.