›› Right Start 2003: Marion County


In order for South Carolina to improve its ranking, each county must make progress. The following table for Marion 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 52 52 112 22.0 1.87
Births to Teens Who Were Already Mothers 49 4 28 24.7 1.16
Births to Unmarried Mothers 51 129 298 58.6 1.77
Births to Mothers Without a High School Degree 46 12 123 24.1 1.11
Late or No Prenatal Care 39 2 22 4.3 1.12
Births to Mothers Smoking During Pregnancy 24 3 64 12.7 1.04
Low Birthweight 52 26 65 12.7 1.68
Preterm Births 52 29 88 17.2 1.48

*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 Marion 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
$8,146 $98,748 $1,420 22 8 $147,980 $746,183 $894,163

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