Final answer:
The statement that HIV/AIDS is the leading cause of death among young adults in the United States today is false, as AIDS-related deaths have declined significantly since the peak of the epidemic.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that HIV/AIDS is the leading cause of death of young adults in the United States today is false. The peak period when AIDS was the leading cause of death for Americans aged 25-44 was during the early years of the AIDS crisis, particularly within the first fifteen years after 1981. Since then, the number of AIDS-related deaths in the United States has sharply declined due to improved treatments and antiretroviral medications. It is worth noting that HIV/AIDS still poses a significant health challenge, particularly among low-income communities and in regions such as sub-Saharan Africa, where the disease prevalence remains extremely high.