In WalletHub’s 2024 healthcare rankings, Minnesota leads as the top state for healthcare, excelling in affordability, access, and quality, while Mississippi has the worst raged healthcare.
The top five states are:
- Minnesota
- Rhode Island
- South Dakota
- Iowa
- New Hampshire
South Carolina is ranked 35th overall, with specific rankings of 29th in healthcare costs, 36th in healthcare access, and 39th in healthcare outcomes. Neighboring North Carolina is positioned at 41st overall. These rankings, based on 44 metrics such as medical visit costs, hospital expenses, life expectancy, and hospital beds per capita, highlight significant healthcare disparities in the Carolinas.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services report that the average American spends nearly $13,500 annually on personal healthcare. This substantial expense is particularly concerning as many people are already facing financial hardships due to rising inflation and significant debt.
Improvements in access and quality are essential for South Carolina and North Carolina to enhance their healthcare systems and overall public health.
For more details, visit WalletHub’s full report here.