Health

Health is such a basic need, it impacts every aspect of a person's daily life. A child with a toothache is unable to concentrate in school and succeed. A family without health insurance is often overwhelmed to the point of bankruptcy by the financial burdens of an illness. Seniors without prescription assistance have to make frightening decisions on which medicine they can afford and which ones they will go without. Whether it is a neighbor without health insurance, a victim of abuse, or someone struggling with mental illness or an addiction, United Way of the Midlands works to ensure everyone has access to affordable and quality care so they can lead safe, healthy, and rewarding lives.

The Work We're Doing

Local volunteers on Community Councils use their knowledge of community problems to distribute funds through multi-year, competitive grants where the needs are greatest. To make the best use of contributor dollars, United Way holds agencies accountable for the programs they run, only funding programs with good results. Grants are typically awarded for a period of three years, with continued funding dependent on satisfactory outcome reports. Click on one of the following links to view United Way of the Midlands' Community Investments in Health:

Why Focus on Health?

According to South Carolina Community Profiles, the percentage of the population that lacks health insurance in the Midlands ranges from a low of 12.2% in Lexington County to a high of 14.6% in Fairfield County. These rates correlate with high rates of poverty.  Residents report the cost of health care and lack of insurance as reasons preventing them from seeking medical services.
Adults are less likely than children to see a dentist or hygienist. Adults who do not receive regular dental services can develop oral diseases that require extensive restorative treatment and may lead to tooth loss and systemic health problems.  Untreated decay among third grade children was 33% in South Carolina compared to 26% nationally.
Seniors represent the fastest-growing segment of the population. As the population ages, the need for aging-related services will also increase. According to the 2006 SC Mature Adults Count, the average cost for nursing home care is $37,000 per year while community-based care costs $14,000 per year.