Final answer:
Infectious diseases were the main cause of death in the United States until the middle of the twentieth century. Now, chronic diseases are the main cause of death in middle adulthood in the United States.
Step-by-step explanation:
The main cause of death in the United States until the middle of the twentieth century was Infectious disease. However, at the turn of the twenty-first century, the main cause of death in middle adulthood in the United States is Chronic disease.
Noninfectious diseases, also known as lifestyle diseases, have become the leading causes of death globally. These diseases are often caused by unhealthy lifestyle choices and are prevalent in both high-income and low- and middle-income countries.