Which of the following statements is true regarding the leading causes of death in the United States in 2006?

• A. Infectious diseases were the leading causes of death.
• B. Heart disease and cancer were two of the most common causes of death.
• C. Stroke and influenza were the only major causes of death.
• D. Accidents and diabetes were the top two causes of death.

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the context of the question: The problem is asking about the leading causes of death in the United States in 2006. This requires knowledge of epidemiology and public health data from that time period.
2. Recall or research the major causes of death in the United States in 2006. Commonly, heart disease and cancer have been leading causes of death in developed countries, including the U.S., for many years.
3. Evaluate the provided options: Analyze each statement to determine its accuracy based on the known data. For example, infectious diseases were not the leading causes of death in 2006 due to advancements in medicine and public health.
4. Focus on the correct statement: Heart disease and cancer were indeed two of the most common causes of death in 2006, supported by historical health statistics.
5. Eliminate incorrect options: Stroke and influenza were not the only major causes of death, and accidents and diabetes were not the top two causes. This process of elimination helps confirm the correct answer.