COLUMBIA, S.C. — South Carolina’s infant mortality rate has increased, according to the latest report from the Department of Public Health, prompting renewed attention on programs aimed at protecting mothers and babies across the state.
One of those efforts is the federally funded Healthy Start program, which provides education, health care access, and emotional support to families in vulnerable communities.
For Columbia mother Shaquana Hamilton, the program has been extremely supportive as she’s cherishing her first holiday season with her nearly six-month-old son, Trevor…