The SC Office of Rural Health (SCORH), a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, is dedicated to ensuring equitable access to quality healthcare for all rural South Carolinians. With 47% of SC’s population living in rural or very rural communities, assuring quality healthcare is paramount.

SCORH’s vision is that SC’s “rural and underserved people have optimal health care services that enhance the quality of life in every community.” In SC, 36 of the state’s 46 counties fall outside of a metropolitan area and nearly 75% of the state is designated as rural. Some portion, if not all, of 44 of the state’s 46 counties are medically underserved. According the 2000 Census, 29.5% of the state’s population is Black/African American and 2.4% is of Hispanic/Latino origin. According to the Economic Research Service (2003), rural South Carolina has a poverty rate of 16.2% compared to 13.0% in urban South Carolina. Coupled with lack of education and employment, only 77.6% of adults (ages 18-64) are insured (Commonwealth Fund, 2007). The Common Wealth Fund (2007) notes that 41.7% of SC adults 50 years and older receive recommended screening and preventive care; 44.5% of children have a medical home and 40.1% of adult diabetics receive recommended preventive care. These health statistics depict the overall access and quality of health care issues facing rural South Carolina.

Since 1991, the SC Office of Rural Health has been working to improve the health status of rural and underserved people throughout the state. Below is a list of services provided to South Carolina rural communities.

SCORH Services:

• Provide information and advice to rural health facilities
• Provide technical assistance to rural entities in identifying and applying for grant funding
• Serve as an advocate and resource for Rural Health Clinics
• Assist rural health care facilities and communities in recruiting primary care providers
• Conduct studies to examine the economic impact of the health care sector on the local economy
• Offer preceptor education classes to providers working with health professions students
• Serve as a clearinghouse for rural health information and resources
• Provide third party billing services for Rural Health Clinics

 

Graham Adams, PhD
Chief Executive Officer
SC Office of Rural Health

The South Carolina Office of Rural Health is committed to serving our rural and underserved communities.  Whether you work with a small rural hospital, Rural Health Clinic, free clinic, Federally Qualified Health Center, private physician’s office or EMS service, we want to make sure that we assist your efforts to improve access to quality health care in rural communities.
 

 
Tom Morris
Aministrator
Office of Rural Health Policy, HRSA

The South Carolina Office of Rural Health is a model of innovation.  The office is constantly looking at the next challenge coming down the road and how to assist rural communities in their state in taking on the challenge.  They are the focal point for rural health in the state and they do a great service to their constituents.