South Carolina Launches A New Health Tracking Tool
COLUMBIA, S.C. — The South Carolina Department of Public Health has officially unveiled an expanded SC Tracking Dashboard, an online tool that allows residents to track and analyze public health and environmental trends across the state, according to WLTX News19.
The upgraded platform now contains 13 topic areas, including cancer rates, asthma trends, heat-related illness data, and drinking water quality reports. Each section provides not just numbers, but also safety guidance, prevention tips, and links to relevant resources.
Making Data Accessible to Everyone
Katie Free, the department’s data and analytics director, said the goal is to ensure the dashboard is not just a government data repository, but a practical, easy-to-use tool for citizens.
“We want data not to be thought of as scary or hard to understand. We really want it to be used and useful for the average citizen,” she explained.
The site now includes county-level filtering, so users can view localized health data for their communities — a feature that can help residents, researchers, and policymakers better understand and respond to specific local health needs.
Educational and Community Benefits
The tool is expected to be particularly useful during the school year, giving students and educators access to real-world statistics for research projects. Public health workers can also use it to identify emerging trends and target outreach efforts where they are most needed.
With more than a dozen categories, the dashboard serves as a central hub for understanding how environmental factors — from air quality to extreme heat — impact the health of South Carolinians.
Residents can explore the updated dashboard on the South Carolina Department of Public Health’s official site.
Have you tried the SC Tracking Dashboard to learn more about your community’s health trends? Share your experience with us at SaludaStandard-Sentinel.com.
