Final answer:
Drug overdose is the least common cause of death among patients over 65 compared to heart disease, stroke, and diabetes mellitus, which are linked to lifestyle and genetic factors.
Step-by-step explanation:
The LEAST common cause of death in patients older than 65 years of age is d. Drug overdose. Causes of death like heart disease, stroke, and diabetes mellitus are considerably more common among this age group, especially due to factors such as a sedentary lifestyle, poor diets, and chronic noninfectious diseases that have both genetic and lifestyle components. Cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of death worldwide, particularly affecting those over 60, and cancer is a significant cause of death as well, especially in higher-income countries. However, drug overdose does not generally rank as high for the elderly population as these other health conditions.
The least common cause of death in patients older than 65 years of age is drug overdose. Cardiovascular diseases such as heart disease and stroke are the most common causes of death in this age group, while diabetes mellitus is also a significant cause. However, drug overdoses are relatively rare in comparison.