Top 8 leading causes of death in South Carolina revealed by CDC data

New data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows South Carolina’s average life expectancy has been on the rebound, increasing from 73.5 years in 2021 to 75.1 in 2022. However, several preventable ailments still made the CDC’s list of South Carolina’s top 10 causes of death.

Using the latest available comprehensive data from 2024, the CDC compiled a state-by-state report showing the most common causes of death in each state. South Carolina’s statistics mostly matched up with national averages, but there were some exceptions.

Heart disease was the leading killer in 40 states and the District of Columbia. In the 10 remaining states, cancer was number one.

Dr. Brannon Traxler, the acting director of the South Carolina Department of Public Health, said that various aspects of modern life such as exercise and diet and previously obscure risks like PFAS exposure have contributed to cancer’s increased prevalence.

“We’re living longer than we did 100 years ago, which gives cancer more opportunities to present,” Traxler said. “We also are potentially exposing ourselves to more factors over time that can lead to cancer. And unfortunately, we often just don’t know until we can look back over long-term trends.”

The Palmetto State’s list managed to avoid several common entries such as kidney disease, hypertension, septicemia and influenza/pneumonia.

Traxler said the key to avoiding preventable disease is maintaining accountability when it comes to health.

“It is being active, being intentional about physical activity, being intentional about nutrition and being aware of what we’re eating and more diligent about eating the right things,” Traxler said. “And then about doing health prevention steps, such as getting the screenings, getting immunizations that can prevent deadly diseases, getting cancer screenings like mammograms and colonoscopies that will catch these at a much earlier stage.”

You can take a look at the CDC’s full report on South Carolina here. Here are the top eight causes of death in South Carolina as determined by federal health researchers.

No. 1: Heart disease

- Where this cause ranked nationally: One

- Instances in South Carolina: 12,494

- Rate: 175/100,000 residents

No. 2: Cancer

- Where this cause ranked nationally: Two

- Instances in South Carolina: 11,452

- Rate: 151.9/100,000 residents

No. 3: Accidents

- Where this cause ranked nationally: Three

- Instances in South Carolina: 3,928

- Rate: 67.3/100,000 residents

No. 4: Stroke

- Where this cause ranked nationally: Four

- Instances in South Carolina: 3,216

- Rate: 45.2/100,000 residents

No. 5: Chronic lower respiratory disease

- Where this cause ranked nationally: Five

- Instances in South Carolina: 2,731

- Rate: 35.7/100,000 residents

No. 6: Alzheimer’s disease

- Where this cause ranked nationally: Six

- Instances in South Carolina: 2,347

- Rate: 33.9/100,000 residents

No. 7: Diabetes

- Where this cause ranked nationally: Seven

- Instances in South Carolina: 1,639

- Rate: 22.9/100,000 residents

No. 8: Chronic liver disease/cirrhosis

- Where this cause ranked nationally: Nine

- Instances in South Carolina: 1,065

- Rate: 15.3/100,000 residents