Final answer:
Influenza and COVID-19 have resulted in major epidemics in the USA, but cancer and heart disease are the leading causes of death due to their chronic nature and widespread impact.
Step-by-step explanation:
The major epidemic connected with the highest number of deaths in the USA is a matter of historical and statistical consideration. While influenza and COVID-19 have caused devastating pandemics, the chronic noncommunicable diseases like cancer and heart disease remain leading causes of death over time. Cancer involves abnormal cell growth with potential to spread, making it a major cause of death in developed countries. Heart disease, a class of diseases including hypertension and atherosclerosis, globally leads in mortality rates, with modifiable risk factors offering prevention opportunities.
Comparatively, infectious diseases like influenza show seasonal epidemics, with past pandemics causing millions of deaths. Meanwhile, the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) spread globally, causing significant loss of life and overwhelming public health systems between 2020 and 2021.