Noncommunicable disease kills most people in SA, according to Stats SA report
Noncommunicable diseases caused more than half of SA’s 460,236 registered deaths in 2015. This is according to a report released on Tuesday by Stats SA titled Mortality and causes of death in SA: findings from death notification 2015. Mortality figures help define health policy and programmes. The Department of Home Affairs gathers the data. The number of deaths in SA had fallen significantly since 2007 when 606,112 deaths were reported. Noncommunicable diseases are linked to risk factors such as obesity, tobacco use, unhealthy diet and alcohol abuse. They were also responsible for 62,5% of the top 10 leading causes of death among females aged 65 and above. The World Health Organisation estimates life expectancy in SA at 59 years. Statistician-General Pali Lehohla said the trend towards noncommunicable diseases causing more deaths started in 2009. In 2013, the Department of Health outlined its strategic plan for the prevention and control of noncommunicable diseases 2013-17 in a bid...
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