›› Right Start 2003: Horry County


In order for South Carolina to improve its ranking, each county must make progress. The following table for Horry County shows the state rank, the required reduction to reach the national average, the current problem rate, and the ratio of the county problem rate to the U.S. rate:

Indicators* Rank if the County Were a State Reduction to Reach U.S. Average # Current Number* Current Rate* (%) Rate: County/U.S. Ratio
Births to Teens 42 63 358 14.3 1.22
Births to Teens Who Were Already Mothers 23 ** 72 20.1 0.95
Births to Unmarried Mothers 48 210 1041 41.6 1.25
Births to Mothers Without a High School Degree 37 ** 539 21.5 0.99
Late or No Prenatal Care 48 60 159 6.3 1.63
Births to Mothers Smoking During Pregnancy 44 167 470 18.9 1.55
Low Birthweight 40 21 211 8.4 1.11
Preterm Births 48 53 342 13.7 1.18

*Data is the average of three years: 1999-2001.
**County is already at or below national average.

Annual Cost of Not Getting the 'Right Start' in Horry County*

Average Charges per Newborn Number of Newborns Excess Costs
Low Birth Weight Very Low Birth Weight Normal Low Birth Weight (Excludes VLBW) Very Low Birth Weight Low Birth Weight (Excludes VLBW) Very Low Birth Weight Total
$7,033 $41,848 $1,493 73 28 $402,609 $1,143,385 $1,545,995

*Data is the average of three years: 1999-2001.