Which of the following kills the most people in the United States every year?

• A. Heroin overdose
• B. Alcohol-related car accidents
• C. Homicide
• D. Illnesses related to smoking

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the key factors contributing to mortality rates in the United States, focusing on substance use, accidents, and health-related issues.
2. Research statistical data on the number of deaths caused by heroin overdoses, alcohol-related car accidents, and homicides annually in the United States.
3. Examine the impact of smoking-related illnesses, such as lung cancer, heart disease, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), on mortality rates.
4. Compare the mortality statistics of smoking-related illnesses with those of heroin overdoses, alcohol-related car accidents, and homicides to determine which is the leading cause of death.
5. Conclude that illnesses related to smoking result in the highest number of deaths annually in the United States, based on the comparative analysis of the data.