atlkvb, that question is much better answered by an
epidemiologist. All I can do is share is what the CDC says are their rules for this. At the end of the day though, if you have chronic conditions that are otherwise under control and you get sick with a new disease state, the new disease state is what is usually going to be listed as the causative reason for your death, using the qualifying words like "probable" or "presumed". I don't think it's the conspiracy that some have made this out to be. If you have diabetes, congestive heart failure, and COPD and you catch community acquired pneumonia (CAP) and die, then CAP is what is probably going to be listed as your cause of death.