›› Right Start 2003: Bamberg County


In order for South Carolina to improve its ranking, each county must make progress. The following table for Bamberg 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 20 46 20.9 1.78
Births to Teens Who Were Already Mothers 49 2 11 24.5 1.15
Births to Unmarried Mothers 51 48 121 54.7 1.65
Births to Mothers Without a High School Degree 46 5 53 24.1 1.11
Late or No Prenatal Care 44 2 11 4.9 1.27
Births to Mothers Smoking During Pregnancy 17 ** 23 10.2 0.83
Low Birthweight 51 9 25 11.5 1.51
Preterm Births 52 16 41 18.6 1.60

*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 Bamberg 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
$10,056 $185,881 $1,489 9 5 $77,100 $921,958 $999,057

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