CDC in South Africa: Why We're Here
South Africa at a Glance
- Population: 49,900,000
- Per capita income: $1,440
- Life expectancy at birth women/men: 57/54 yrs
- Under 5 mortality: 46/1000 live births
- Population Reference Bureau, 2010
Top 10 Causes of Death in South Africa
- HIV/AIDS
52% - Cerebrovascular disease
5% - Ischaemic heart disease
4% - Lower respiratory infections
4% - Violence
3% - Tuberculosis
3% - Diarrheal disease
2% - ROAD TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS
2% - DIABETES MELLITUS
2% - Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
1%
Source: WHO World Health Statistics 2006
HIV and AIDS is one of the main challenges facing a post-apartheid South Africa. With 5.7 million citizens infected with HIV, South Africa has one of the highest numbers of infected adults and children in the world. The epidemic is generalized across the country's population and primarily driven by sexual transmission. The concurrent epidemics of TB and sexually transmitted infections are fueled by this epidemic. In the first decade of democracy in South Africa, adult HIV prevalence rose from less than 3% to an estimated 18.1%.
The cure rate for TB is low, and treatment default rates remain high, heightening concern for development of drug-resistant TB. AIDS-associated mortality is high particularly among young adults and children.
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