Final answer:
The leading cause of death for adolescents aged 15-19 is unintentional injuries, primarily from motor vehicle crashes, with a rising trend in drug overdoses due to substances like heroin and opioids.
Step-by-step explanation:
The leading cause of death for adolescents (age 15-19) is unintentional injuries, predominantly from motor vehicle crashes. In recent years, however, there has been a significant rise in accidental deaths from drug overdoses, especially related to heroin and opioid painkillers. It is important to note that health issues and causes of death can vary greatly depending on the lifecycle stage.
While adolescents are most affected by accidents and drug overdoses, young adults are more impacted by homicides, car crashes, and. While cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death globally, most cases occur in older adults.