Critical Reasoning

In 1987 sinusitis was the most common chronic medical condition in the United States, followed by arthritis
and high blood pressure, in that order.
The incidence rates for both arthritis and high blood pressure increase with age, but the incidence rate for
sinusitis is the same for people of all ages.
The average age of the United States population will increase between 1987 and 2000.

Which of the following conclusions can be most properly drawn about chronic medical conditions in the
United States from the information given above?
(A) Sinusitis will be more common than either arthritis or high blood pressure in 2000.
(B) Arthritis will be the most common chronic medical condition in 2000.
(C) The average age of people suffering from sinusitis will increase between 1987 and 2000.
(D) Fewer people will suffer from sinusitis in 2000 than suffered from it in 1987.
(E) A majority of the population will suffer from at least one of the medical conditions mentioned above by the
year 2000.

can anyone please explain how C is correct

IMO C. Its the only one you can prove from the passage. What is the OA?

If all people have an equal chance of getting sinusitis, then similar numbers of people in every age group will have the disease. If every age group will have similar numbers of the disease and the average age is going up of the population in general, then so will the average age of sinusitis sufferers.

What is the OA? EDIT*** I didn't notice you put it above lol.

Thanks,

Jared

C is the only option that can be proved from the stimulus

(A) Sinusitis will be more common than either arthritis or high blood pressure in 2000. we can not prove this from the stimulus though it is mentioned that Sinusitis is the most common in 1987

(B) Arthritis will be the most common chronic medical condition in 2000. Though it is mentioned that 'The incidence rates for both arthritis and high blood pressure increase with age' and 'The average age of the United States population will increase between 1987 and 2000', we can not prove that Arthritis will eventually overtake Sinusitis.

(C) The average age of people suffering from sinusitis will increase between 1987 and 2000. As it is mentioned that 'The average age of the United States population will increase between 1987 and 2000' and 'the incidence rate for sinusitis is the same for people of all ages', we can very well prove this point

(D) Fewer people will suffer from sinusitis in 2000 than suffered from it in 1987. this is not true. It is mentioned that 'incidence rate for sinusitis is the same for people of all ages.'

(E) A majority of the population will suffer from at least one of the medical conditions mentioned above by the
year 2000. this is not true according to the stimulus

thanks for the explanation but i have a doubt how can the average age increase if there is increase in certain kind of illness, average age should decrease

Just see the statement in the stimulus 'The average age of the United States population will increase between 1987 and 2000. ' - so we should take this as true.

ok i got it its ply because of this statement..

Thanks

P1. the incidence rate for sinusitis is the same for people of all ages.

P2. The average age of the United States population will increase between 1987 and 2000.

Hence C is the only option that can be concluded

Great, and if Reva's still kicking around here after TWO years, she'll find that very helpful

Please don't go back into the library and reply to posters who haven't been around for this long!