COLUMBIA – A new South Carolina poverty study conducted by the Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina and the Rural & Minority Health Research Center at the University of South Carolina reveals structural barriers that are perpetuating systemic poverty in South Carolina. The new data shows how a person’s racial or ethnic identity, gender and where they are born can present significant barriers to economic self-sufficiency in South Carolina.
In a webinar on Jan. 27, the Sisters of Charity Foundation Director of Policy and Research, Chynna A. Phillips, MPH joined USC’s Melinda Merrell, PhD, MPH to take a deep dive into data that shows that 80% of the state’s counties are at or above the national average for evictions and that South Carolina is well below the national average when it comes to access to computers and technology.
South Carolina ranks higher than the national average when it comes to:
- The number of people living in poverty
- The amount of money families spend on housing and transportation costs.
- The number of people who are uninsured
South Carolina ranks lower than the national average when it comes to:
- The number of people who have health insurance
- The amount of money spent per student on education
- The number of female and/or minority led businesses
The data, Phillips and Merrell say, is important as policy makers determine next steps necessary to start removing barriers to prosperity in the Palmetto State. The data is also useful for the hundreds of nonprofit service providers and state agencies serving families and individuals experiencing poverty.
For more information about the study, contact Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina at 803-254-0230.