Each year, about 900,000 people die from the five major causes of deaths, but 20-40% of those deaths could be prevented, according to a new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Fox News reported.

The five leading causes of death are heart disease, cancer, chronic lower respiratory diseases, stroke and unintentional injuries, and they accounted for 63 percent of all deaths in the United States in 2010, according to the report. Many of these deaths could be avoided by people changing their behaviors, the researchers said.

The report looked at deaths before age 80 from each cause, for each state, from 2008 to 2010. The researchers found large differences among states -- Southeastern states had the highest number of preventable deaths for each of the five causes.

For example, people can avoid premature heart disease by quitting tobacco, and controlling their blood pressure and cholesterol, as well as maintaining a healthy diet and doing adequate physical activity.

People can also wear seatbelts, use motorcycle helmets, curb alcohol and avoid drug use (including prescription opioid drugs), and avoid too much sun exposure, to reduce their risk of dying from preventable diseases and accident, according to the report.