In the ‘Diabetes Belt,’ high levels of medical debt

The CDC says the Diabetes Belt consists of 644 mostly Southern counties where rates of the disease are high. NPR found that more than half of the counties have high levels of medical debt in collections — meaning at least 1 in 5 people are affected.

Share of population with medical debt in collections, diabetes belt counties

• 20% or more
• Less than 20%
• Data not available

In Marlboro County,

S.C., more than one-third

of people have medical debt

in collections.

In Marlboro County,

S.C., more than one-third

of people have medical debt

in collections.

In Marlboro County, S.C., more than one-third

of people have medical debt in collections.