in the past, the conditions causing the deaths of the most people in the United States were passed from one person to another or were the result of unsanitary practices. Tuberculosis and pneumonia are examples. The federal and state governments responded by passing legislation that eliminated these unsafe practices and effectively reduced deaths from these conditions. Today, most deaths are the result of lifestyle practices such as cigarette smoking, lack of exercise, inadequate sleep, and poor nutrition. Changes in these practices are up to individuals; governments cannot legislate these changes.