Cancer and cardiovascular disease are the leading causes of death in middle age. unintentional injuries, though still a major health threat, occur at a lower rate than in early adulthood, largely because motor vehicle collisions decline. but falls resulting in bone fractures and death nearly double from early to middle adulthood. men are more vulnerable than women to most health problems. among middle-aged men, cancer deaths exceed cardiovascular disease deaths by a small margin; among women, cancer is by far the leading cause of death. which statement is true? a) cardiovascular disease is by far the leading cause of death. b) cardiovascular disease deaths exceed cancer deaths by a small margin.