Which pair represents the leading causes of death for people aged 65 and older?

Which pair represents the leading causes of death for people aged 65 and older?

• A. Stroke and diabetes
• B. Cancer and COPD
• C. Dementia and coronary heart disease
• D. Influenza and pneumonia

Answer: (C)

In older adults, the health threats most likely to cause death cluster around cardiovascular disease and neurodegenerative illness. Coronary heart disease remains the leading cause of death overall, while dementia (including Alzheimer's disease) becomes increasingly prominent with age. This combination best reflects the two biggest mortality drivers for people aged 65 and older. Other conditions like stroke, cancer, COPD, or respiratory infections are significant, but they don’t consistently rank as the two top causes in this age group.

In older adults, the health threats most likely to cause death cluster around cardiovascular disease and neurodegenerative illness. Coronary heart disease remains the leading cause of death overall, while dementia (including Alzheimer's disease) becomes increasingly prominent with age. This combination best reflects the two biggest mortality drivers for people aged 65 and older. Other conditions like stroke, cancer, COPD, or respiratory infections are significant, but they don’t consistently rank as the two top causes in this age group.