In the heart of South Carolina’s “Corridor of Shame,” a small brick clinic along the Thurgood Marshall Highway serves as a lifeline for Black Americans facing severe health disparities. Dr. Morris Brown, the clinic’s owner, rotates through patients every 20 minutes, treating a range of chronic ailments that disproportionately affect the area’s predominantly Black population.
The clinic, located in Kingstree, a town of 3,200 people, exemplifies the stark health inequities prevalent across the Southeast. Despite being just 50 miles from coastal golf courses, this region suffers from acute healthcare provider shortages and high rates of chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease.
South Carolina’s refusal to expand Medicaid exacerbates these issues. Dr. Brown argues this decision will lead to more preventable deaths in the 17 poverty-stricken counties along Interstate 95. “There is a disconnect between policymakers and real people,” he notes, highlighting the racial power imbalance in decision-making.
The situation in Kingstree reflects a national trend. A recent report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine states that the U.S. healthcare system, “by its very design, delivers different outcomes for different populations.” These inequities result in millions of premature deaths and lost economic productivity.
Research shows little progress in eliminating racial health disparities over the past two decades. Critics argue that government policies often maintain the status quo, leaving Black Americans’ well-being at the mercy of powerful business and political interests.
As patients like Joshua McCray, a 69-year-old former bus driver still struggling with COVID-19 aftereffects, continue to seek care, the need for systemic change becomes increasingly apparent. The persistent health gap in places like Kingstree serves as a stark reminder of the work still needed to achieve health equity in America.
“Black Americans still suffer worse health. Here’s why there’s so little progress” (October 24, 2024)
