NATIONAL NEWS - In the Western Cape HIV/Aids is responsible for 12% of all deaths, followed by interpersonal violence at 9,2% and TB at 7,4%. To explain this, it simply means that 12 out of every 100 people who die, die as a result of HIV and nine out of every 100, die as a result of interpersonal violence. This means that the top three causes of premature death are all avoidable conditions.
Western Cape Government Health has distributed the Western Cape Mortality Profile, prepared by the Medical Research Council (MRC) that looks into the causes of death in the province. The document, which is based on statistics kept by the Department and Stats SA during 2012, specifically investigates the 10 most prevalent causes of death among all ages in the province.
The information is used to help the department find new strategies in which to address the main causes of avoidable deaths. One of these strategies includes the improvement of access to healthcare, the continued encouragement that all of us live a healthy lifestyle and the reduction of alcohol and substance dependence and abuse, which has an effect on the number of deaths due to inter-partner violence and injury.
The report indicates that the main causes of death of adults in the Western Cape remain HIV, TB and injury. The statistics in the rural area of the Cape Winelands reflects similar causes of premature death, listed as injuries and complications related to HIV and TB in both men and women. This means that unprotected sex, which is one of the causal factors in HIV and inter-partner violence, are the main reason people die in the Western Cape.
In children, again, injury remains one of the main causes of death; others are prematurity, pneumonia and diarrhoea. The number of deaths due to preventable illnesses, in other words those illnesses that can be prevented by vaccination, has shown a marked decline, thus reiterating the importance of immunisation.
The sad fact that 15% of deaths were due to injuries resounds, in that it is known that up-stream social factors such poverty, substance abuse and lack of support are contributing factors.
The department has embarked on a programme termed the First 1 000 days that cares not only for the physical, but also general and mental health of mums-to-be. The First 1 000 days refers to the period from conception to two years of age.
The report confirms that leading a healthy lifestyle free of high risk behaviours such as substance abuse, engaging in risky sexual practices which can lead to injuries, HIV and later on lifestyle illnesses, is the key to a longer higher quality life.
• TB: Tuberculosis
• HIV: Human Immunodeficiency Virus
• Ischaemic Heart Disease: Heart attacks
• Cerebrovascular Disease: Strokes
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