Stroke is the main cause of death in older adults in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs), report researchers in the United Kingdom, Dominican Republic, Peru, China, Cuba, Venezuela, Mexico, and India (Ferri CP et al. PLoS Med. 2012;9[2]:e1001179).
Between 2003 and 2005, the researchers completed a baseline survey of 12 373 people aged 65 years and older living in China, India, and 6 Latin American countries and documented more than 2000 deaths in a 3- to 5-year follow-up period. Chronic diseases, particularly stroke, heart disease, and diabetes, were the primary causes of death.