Motor vehicle crashes were the fifth most common cause of death in Levy County between 2000 and 2004. According to a recent study by the Levy County Health Department, heart disease and cancer are the leading causes of death, but motor vehicle crash deaths in Levy County are 244 percent higher than the Florida average. There were 80 crash deaths in Levy County during the study period. These results and others were presented November 14 to the Cedar Key Commission by Slande Celest of the Health Department. Heart disease, cancer, respiratory disease and stroke have higher death rates in Levy County than state-wide. Particularly for heart disease and cancer, tobacco use, obesity and lack of exercise are primary risk factors. Furthermore, access to healthcare is a contributing factor. About one fifth of Levy County residents under 65 years of age have no health insurance. That, and generally lower Levy County incomes (medium household income of $31,000) make both detection and treatment of disease inadequate. Furthermore, access to medical treatment in Levy County is limited by a shortage of medical, dental and mental health service. For more information on what can be done to improve health care in Levy County call the Health Department's Health Promotion and Education Program office at 486-6774. | 
