An annual report from the Beaufort County Health Department revealed expected areas of concern in 2015, but also highlighted ways to combat them.

The three leading causes of death in the county from 2009-2013 were cancer (23.6 percent), diseases of the heart (23.1 percent) and chronic lower respiratory disease (6.4 percent), according to the State of the County Health Report.

Cancer mortality rates were higher than the state’s average, with the male, African-American and non-Hispanic populations being the most affected, the report stated.

JaNell Lewis, human services planner and preparedness coordinator at the health department, said relatively high cancer rates are occurring all across North Carolina, as well.

She said the department tries to emphasize the need for screenings and simple protections, such as applying sunscreen, to cut down on the number of cases.

According to the report, the county’s goal is to reduce the cancer mortality rate by 3 percent by the end of 2017.

“The sooner it is detected, the more likely it can be treated,” Lewis said. “They just still need to take the prevention measures.”

Other causes for concern include obesity and diabetes, which are directly related to the high incidence of heart diseases in Beaufort County.

The report states that the diabetes rate has remained higher than the state average for almost 10 years, and that rate saw a significant increase particularly from 2008-2013.

As of 2010, more than 12,411 adult residents of Beaufort County were overweight and obese, or 34.3 percent of the population, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Lewis said the health department continues to make a big push for healthy living, offering educational classes for exercise, nutrition (“Eating Smart, Moving More”) and diabetes self-management.

“We’re all about encouraging healthy lifestyles,” she said. “People just have to learn and become more educated.”

By assessing feedback from the Community Health Assessment survey, Lewis said the department nailed down four priority areas to combat these concerns in upcoming years: chronic disease (heart disease and diabetes), cancer, access to care (including mental health) and weight management, nutrition and diabetes.

After honing an action plan, those in the health care industry can start to make changes happen.

“We’re making strides to improve the numbers,” Lewis said. “I do see it making a difference.”