May 24, 2023
West Columbia, S.C. – Lexington Medical Center and MUSC Health have released the results of a community health needs assessment that the organizations worked on together. The project revealed that Access to Care, Clinical Preventive Services, Mental Health and Obesity, Physical Activity and Nutrition are the most significant health challenges facing community members in the Midlands.
“The information gathered in this report will help us to better understand health issues, health behaviors, social issues and other risk factors affecting the health and wellness of our neighbors, and help us make the Midlands a healthier place to live,” said Tod Augsburger, president & CEO of Lexington Medical Center.
In 2022, Lexington Medical Center, MUSC Health and other partnering organizations gathered comprehensive feedback through more than 1,150 surveys, more than a dozen interviews and a focus group in Lexington and Richland counties.
Access to Care
Fifteen percent of survey respondents stated they did not have a primary care provider or health center where they could receive routine medical care. When routine medical care and preventive measures are neglected, risk for serious, acute conditions and medical expenses rise considerably.
Clinical Preventive Services
Nearly half of survey respondents rated their health as poor or fair. Routine physical exams, disease screenings and immunizations have been highlighted as critical preventive services to reduce premature death and disability. Yet, thousands of South Carolinians forgo preventive services due to a list of barriers.
Mental Health
Survey respondents said the top barrier to mental health treatment was shame and embarrassment. About half of all people in the United States will be diagnosed with a mental health disorder in their lifetime, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Unfortunately, South Carolina has a significantly fewer number of mental health providers compared with other states. Research shows that adults and children with undiagnosed and untreated mental health issues are at higher risk for unsafe behaviors including alcohol and drug abuse, violent or self-destructive behavior and suicide.
Obesity, Physical Activity and Nutrition
According to county health rankings, 36 percent of adults in South Carolina are obese. The state also rates seventh highest in the nation for diabetes. While Lexington and Richland counties have lower rates of physical inactivity than the rest of the state, they’re still higher than the country. Survey respondents said the top barrier to eating healthy foods was cost and that being physically active was a personal choice.
These important findings will help our organizations focus our efforts and take steps to make the Midlands healthier.
“I am optimistic and energized as a healthcare partner and personally as a community member about what we have learned,” said Matthew Littlejohn, MHA, FACHE, CEO of MUSC Health Midlands. “This is only the beginning of good things to come and the hard work we can do together to impact the overall health of Lexington and Richland Counties.”
Several additional organizations worked together on this project, including the Alliance for a Healthier SC, South Carolina Hospital Association and the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control.
Lexington Health is a comprehensive network of care that includes six community medical and urgent care centers, nearly 80 physician practices, more than 9,000 health care professionals and Lexington Medical Center, a 607-bed teaching hospital in West Columbia, South Carolina. The hospital was ranked best hospital in the Columbia Metro by U.S. News & World Report, was selected by Modern Healthcare as one of the Best Places to Work in Healthcare, and was the first hospital in the state to achieve Magnet with Distinction status for excellence in nursing care. Lexington Health Cancer Center is an accredited Cancer Center of Excellence. The network includes a cardiovascular program recognized by the American College of Cardiology as South Carolina's first HeartCARE Center. The network also has an occupational health center, the largest skilled nursing facility in the Carolinas, an Alzheimer's care center and nearly 80 physician practices. Lexington Medical Center operates one of the busiest Emergency departments in South Carolina, treating nearly 100,000 patients each year. The hospital delivers more than 4,000 babies each year and performs more than 25,000 surgeries.
