Approximately 80% of medical expenditures are related to chronic disease. In 2005, the leading causes of death among South Carolinians were heart disease, cancer, stroke, accidents, chronic lower respiratory disease, Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes, kidney disease, pneumonia and influenza, and septicemia. Most of these primary causes of mortality are related to chronic health conditions. Further, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have determined that 50% of an individual’s health status is determined by behaviors, 20% is determined by genetics, 20% is determined by environment
and 10% is determined by access to health care. Almost one-fifth of residents of Spartanburg County report that their health is “fair or poor.” Residents of peer counties report better health status (see Table 21).