Which disease is NOT among the top three causes of death in Australia?

Which disease is NOT among the top three causes of death in Australia?

• A. Cancer.
• B. Coronary heart disease.
• C. Dementia.
• D. Covid-19.

Answer: (A)

The key idea is how deaths are categorized when ranking the leading causes. In Australia, the three most common underlying causes of death in recent years are dementia (including Alzheimer’s disease), coronary heart disease, and cerebrovascular diseases (such as stroke). Malignant neoplasms (cancer) sit below those top three, so cancer is not among the leading three causes. Covid-19 hasn’t consistently ranked in the top three in the long-term national data either, though it has contributed to mortality during peak periods. That’s why cancer is the best answer here.

The key idea is how deaths are categorized when ranking the leading causes. In Australia, the three most common underlying causes of death in recent years are dementia (including Alzheimer’s disease), coronary heart disease, and cerebrovascular diseases (such as stroke). Malignant neoplasms (cancer) sit below those top three, so cancer is not among the leading three causes. Covid-19 hasn’t consistently ranked in the top three in the long-term national data either, though it has contributed to mortality during peak periods. That’s why cancer is the best answer here.