In older adults, the leading causes of death are which of the following?

• A. Infectious diseases
• B. Acute injuries
• C. Chronic diseases
• D. Cancer

Answer: (C)

Mortality in older adults is most often due to chronic diseases—conditions that develop and persist over years and affect multiple organ systems. Common contributors include heart disease, cancer, stroke, chronic lung disease, and diabetes. This pattern is different from infectious diseases or acute injuries being the leading causes of death in this age group, especially in developed countries where vaccines and medical care reduce those threats. Cancer is a major killer, but it sits within the broader category of chronic illnesses, so describing deaths as due to chronic diseases captures the overall pattern of late-life mortality.