COLUMBIA – The S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control released its annual report on the health of the public and the environment in South Carolina on May 8, 2008. “The title of the publication, ‘Healthy People Living in Healthy Communities,’ reflects our long-term vision for the future of South Carolina,” DHEC Commissioner C. Earl Hunter said. “The report includes updates on areas of concern we’ve worked to address over the course of the previous year and items that we’ll continue to address.”

Hunter said the report also includes data on public health and environmental indicators that allow DHEC to detect trends and determine what actions and programs are effective.

“Statistics are also presented in the report that indicate how South Carolina’s public health status is tracking against the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ “Healthy People 2010” national health objectives,” Hunter said.

Copies of the 2008 edition of “Healthy People Living in Healthy Communities” can be requested by calling (803) 898-3803 or e-mailing oneillt@dhec.sc.gov. The report is also available electronically on DHEC’s Web site at: http://www.scdhec.gov/administration/library/ML-006048.pdf.