Objective: To examine the predictive power of self-rated health, activities of daily living (ADL), and ambulatory activity for different causes of death in a representative sample of older persons. Design: Three-year prospective cohort study. Setting: Sendai City, Japan. Participants: 2,552 persons 65 years and older at baseline in 1988. Measurements: Independent variables (measured by selfreport of participants) were age, sex, self-rated health, ADL, ambulatory activity level, and use of medical care. Dependent variables were mortalities from cancer, stroke, and heart disease.