What is the right to health?
The right to health is a fundamental human right established in the International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights, among other international human rights agreements. This right is enshrined in the South Carolina Constitution, as a part of its Bill of Rights. It guarantees that all people in the state have the right to go about their lives without fear of any type of health risk or hazard. Under the right to health, all people have the right to access health services, and to medical care and prevention of diseases. This includes progressive improvements in health care, including in the areas of medical research and treatment. Those with limited resources or physical disabilities that would otherwise prevent them from getting access to the quality of the health care they need should receive special consideration and assistance. The right to health also includes an individual’s right to basic nutrition, clean air, and safe drinking water, as well as the right to a safe and healthy working environment. People in South Carolina also have a right to health-related education, including the right to be informed of their health needs and how to protect their own health and the health of those around them. In the state of South Carolina, the right to health is supported by several agencies, including the Department of Health and Environmental Control, the South Carolina Department of Mental Health, and the South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. Additionally, the UN recognizes the right to health, and the government is obligated to make sure these rights are respected.
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