Final answer:
Heart disease presents the greatest lifetime risk of death in the US, exceeding other causes such as cancer, motor vehicle accidents, infectious diseases, and homicide, due to factors like sedentary lifestyles and poor dietary choices. Therefore, the correct answer is:c) Heart disease
Step-by-step explanation:
The question 'Which of the following presents the greatest lifetime risk of death to people in the US?' asks us to choose between motor vehicle accidents, infectious diseases, heart disease, and homicide. Analyzing the given information, it's evident that heart disease presents the greatest lifetime risk of death to people in the US. It is closely related to lifestyle choices and sedentary behavior complemented by poor diet choices such as high trans-fat diets. Furthermore, cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death globally, with most cases being preventable through behavior change and medication. Cancer, while a major cause of death due to factors such as genetic predisposition and environmental exposure, does not surpass heart disease in overall mortality. Causes of injury and death such as motor vehicle accidents, although significant, do not reach the same level of prevalence as heart disease. Infectious diseases and homicides also contribute to mortality statistics, but they do not present as high a lifetime risk as heart disease does. Heart disease has consistently been a major contributor to mortality in the U.S., causing a significant number of deaths each year. It is important to note that these statistics can change over time, and it's advisable to refer to the latest health data or consult reliable sources for the most current information on causes of death in the United States.