Myrtle Beach, South Carolina is a popular vacation destination that attracts thousands of visitors each year. Despite its popularity, the health care system in Myrtle Beach has been lacking when it comes to providing quality services for its local residents. There are several hospitals and medical facilities located in the city, however many of these do not provide the necessary care needed by locals. The area is also home to several small clinics that provide basic medical services, but many of these do not have the resources or capacity to treat more serious illnesses or conditions. Despite this, there are initiatives being taken by local organizations to improve access to healthcare in Myrtle Beach such as providing free health screenings and offering educational programs about preventive health care. Additionally, some local organizations are working with state and federal partners to develop better healthcare options for individuals living in poverty or who lack access to traditional medical services.
The health of a city has many different factors. It can refer to air quality, water quality, risk of getting respiratory disease or cancer. The people you live around can also affect your health as some places have lower or higher rates of physical activity, increased alcohol intake, smoking, obesity, and cancer rates.
Physicians per Capita
There are 160 physicians per 100,000 population in Myrtle Beach. The US average is 210 per 100,000 people.
Health Cost Index
The annual BestPlaces Health Cost Index for the Myrtle Beach area is 96.3 (lower=better). The US average is 100.
96.3 / 100
Example: 110 = 10% more expensive than national average.
Water Qualtiy Index
The annual BestPlaces Water Quality Index for the Myrtle Beach area is 28 (100=best). The US average is 55.
28 / 100
Note that this is a measure of Watershed quality, not the water that comes from your faucet. The EPA has stated that a healthy watershed is closely related to drinking water quality. The EPA has a complex method of measuring watershed quality using 15 indicators such as pH, chemicals, metals, and bacteria.
Superfund Index
The annual BestPlaces Superfund Index for the Myrtle Beach area is 98 (100=best). The US average is 87.
98 / 100
The EPA's Superfund program is responsible for cleaning up some of our nation's most contaminated land. Our index is based on the number of active Superfund sites (over 15,000 in the United States), with particular attention paid to those on the National Priorities List which pose the greatest health danger.
Quick Facts
Commuting can effect your health. The average person in Myrtle Beach commutes 16.5 minutes one-way, which is shorter than the US average of 26.4 minutes.
Air Quality Index
The annual BestPlaces Air Quality Index for the Myrtle Beach area is 69 (100=best). The US average is 58.
69 / 100
This is based on new measures of hazardous air pollutants from the EPA, called the National Air Toxics Assessment. This analysis models respiratory illness and cancer risk down to the zip code level, providing better detail and insight than the previous analysis based solely on results from air monitoring stations.