The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) is undergoing significant changes. Starting on July 1st, the agency will transform into the Department of Public Health (DPH). This decision was made by the General Assembly and Governor Henry McMaster to split up the agency and create a separate health department.
Dr. Edward Simmer, the interim director of the new South Carolina Department of Public Health, explained that last year the legislature passed Act 60, directing DHEC to split into two agencies – the South Carolina Public Health and the South Carolina Department of Environmental Services. The new Department of Public Health will now encompass most of what was previously offered by DHEC’s health services.
Despite these changes, services at health departments will remain the same in terms of locations, staff, and trustworthiness. However, the focus of the new Department of Public Health moving forward will be outreach and engagement, connecting with various community groups and stakeholders statewide.
The ultimate goal of the newly formed Department of Public Health is to improve South Carolina’s health ranking, which currently stands at 45th out of the 50 states. Dr. Simmer aims to make South Carolina the number one state for health across all measures, although he acknowledges that achieving this goal will take time.
This transition to a new department marks a significant step towards improving healthcare outcomes for people in South Carolina and ensuring that their health needs are met efficiently and effectively.
