South Carolina reached its highest-ever placement in the latest America’s Health Rankings annual report, climbing to 36th overall in the nation, according to the South Carolina Department of Public Health.
The ranking, released in the United Health Foundation’s 2025 annual report, marks the best showing for the state since the report began in 1990 and continues an upward trend in recent years. South Carolina ranked 41st in 2022, according to DPH.
State health officials pointed to improvements in cancer screenings and physical activity as key factors in the state’s rise.
“We are encouraged by our progress in these rankings in recent years,” said Dr. Edward Simmer, interim director of the South Carolina Department of Public Health, in a news release. “Even as we celebrate these improvements, we recognize that our work does not stop here. At DPH, we remain committed to our efforts to work with our partners across the state to improve the health and quality of life for all South Carolinians.”
According to the state summary in the report, South Carolina’s strengths included high reading proficiency among fourth-grade public school students, a high prevalence of cancer screenings and a low average number of health-based drinking water violations. The report also highlighted a 17% improvement in physical inactivity, a 14% decrease in firearm deaths, a 12% increase in flu vaccination and a 12% decrease in homelessness.
But the report also underscored several persistent challenges that continue to drag down the state’s overall standing.
Among the most significant were a high premature death rate, a high prevalence of multiple chronic conditions and a high homicide rate, according to the summary. Those same issues also appeared among the measures with the most negative impact on South Carolina’s ranking, alongside low birth weight and occupational fatalities.
While DPH’s release emphasized the state’s overall rise, the report shows South Carolina still lagged in several broad categories. The state ranked 41st in health outcomes, 36th in both social and economic factors and clinical care, and 35th in health behaviors. Its strongest category was physical environment, where it ranked 10th nationally.
The annual report evaluates 99 measures from 31 data sources to assess health and well-being in every state.
DPH said it is working with the Alliance for a Healthier South Carolina and other partners through the state’s 2025-2030 State Health Improvement Plan, or SHIP, which outlines priorities including chronic health conditions, behavioral health, maternal and infant health, access to nutritious foods, opportunities for physical activity, access to care, poverty, education and community development.
“As we work with our partners across the state to address the priority areas outlined in the SHIP, we are hopeful that we will continue on our path of improved health outcomes in South Carolina,” said Dr. Karla Buru, DPH deputy director of health strategy and external affairs and chief of staff. “The plan provides us with a blueprint for meaningful, measurable progress, the result of which will make residents of our state safer and healthier.”
The 2025 America’s Health Rankings annual report was published in January 2026.
