Top 10 chronic diseases in South Africa

CHRONIC diseases, otherwise known as non-communicable diseases, are the leading cause of death worldwide, accounting for almost 60% of all deaths globally and 43% of the global disease burden.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), the most recent data suggests chronic disease would account for 73% of all deaths globally by 2020.

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“Chronic diseases are long-term illnesses caused by a combination of genetic, physiological, environmental, and behavioural factors,” said Affinity Health CEO Murray Hewlett.“Although chronic diseases are frequently associated with older age groups, evidence suggests that thousands of South Africans are dying of chronic diseases before the age of 70.”

Diabetes
One in every three South African adults (13 million) has impaired fasting glucose (IFG), putting them at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Diabetes is the country’s second-deadliest disease, according to Statistics SA’s 2021 report on mortality and causes of death. Diabetes has claimed more lives than HIV, hypertension and other forms of heart disease combined. It is a leading cause of blindness, kidney failure, heart attacks, stroke, and amputation of lower limbs.

Arthritis
Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis in South Africa, with a prevalence rate of 55.1% in urban areas and between 29.5% and 82.7% in adults over 65 years of age in rural areas. As many patients are unsure how to manage their symptoms, arthritis coexists with other chronic conditions. This disease is surprisingly common among children, affecting one to four in every 1 000.

Cancer
Most up-to-date stats showed cancer care was expected to cost $240-billion (R4.1-billion) by 2020, according to the most recent Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and National Cancer Institute estimates, owing to healthcare inflation over the previous decades. Despite declining cancer rates, the CDC predicts the disease will remain one of the leading causes of death in South Africa. It is estimated that nearly 110 000 new cancer cases will be diagnosed in South Africa by 2030, with over 56 000 cancer-related deaths accounting for one-quarter of all premature non-communicable disease-related mortality. The most effective cancer prevention measures continue to be early screenings, raising awareness about preventative techniques, and developing strategic partnerships.

Obesity
Obesity statistics in South Africa are concerning, with approximately 31% of men and 68% of women obese. Obesity and being overweight can lead to various lifestyle diseases, including diabetes and heart disease. Obesity is a major issue in adults and children, with more than 13% of South African children aged 6-14 years classified as overweight or obese. Education, promoting access to healthier foods, and providing preventative care to paediatric patients can help maintain a healthy weight.

Alzheimer’s disease
According to the most recent World Alzheimer’s Report, South Africa has 4.4 million people over the age of 60 living with the disease. Around 187 000 of these people have dementia. Alzheimer’s disease is not a normal part of ageing. Although most people with Alzheimer’s are 65 and older, people younger than 65 can also develop the disease. It is the most common cause of dementia that worsens over time. In most cases, the symptoms develop gradually and become severe enough to interfere with daily activities.

Epilepsy
More than 500 000 people in South Africa have epilepsy. Seizures caused by epilepsy can sometimes result in death. People with epilepsy may also have poor mental health or other impairments that are difficult to detect.

Asthma
Asthma affects more than 20% of children and 10-15% of adults in South Africa. It is not uncommon for those suffering from the illness to be hospitalised during an attack, which can significantly reduce their quality of life.

Hypertension/high blood pressure
High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, affects more than one in every three adults in South Africa. Because there are rarely any symptoms or visible signs that blood pressure is high, it is referred to as a ‘silent killer’. As a result, more than 50% of people with high blood pressure are unaware of their condition. Symptoms such as headaches, visual disturbances, nose bleeds, nausea, vomiting, facial flushing, and sleepiness may sometimes occur, typically with extremely high blood pressure. It is best not to wait for symptoms to appear. High blood pressure becomes more common with age, but anyone, regardless of age, gender, fitness level, or lifestyle, can develop it.

HIV/Aids
In South Africa, the overall HIV prevalence rate is estimated to be around 13.7%. In 2021, the total number of people living with HIV was expected to be approximately 8.2 million. HIV infection affects an estimated 19.5% of adults aged 15 to 49 years.

Tuberculosis (TB)
This disease is a significant public health concern in South Africa. Approximately 450 000 people contract the disease annually, with 270 000 also infected with HIV. TB is the leading cause of death in South Africa, killing about 89 000 people per year, or 10 people every hour. Effective treatments are available, and the country has made significant progress in combatting the disease, but much more is required to bring it under control.