The leading cause of death in Harnett County is cancer. The total cancer (all cancers) age-adjusted mortality rate for Harnett County is 10% higher than the comparable rate for the state. Specific cancers have mortality rates in which Harnett County is even more disparate. While heart disease is the second leading cause of death in all counties in NC and across the nation, the age-adjusted mortality rates for heart disease in Harnett County is 17% higher than the state average and the highest among the peer counties. The age-adjusted diabetes mortality rate for Harnett County is 37% higher than the state average and is the highest among peer counties. Leading causes of death—including diabetes, cancer, and heart disease—result from community health challenges in managing chronic disease. Chronic disease is relevant for all populations in the county, however, for many chronic diseases, racial/ethnic minority communities bear a disproportionate burden of disability and death.