A new Stats SA Mortality Report has revealed the highest causes of death for South Africa’s elderly. According to Business Tech, COVID-19-related deaths are the most prevalent since 2020, through respiratory, stroke and other pandemic-related symptoms.
Using death-certificate data supplied from the National Department of Health, just less than 490 000 deaths were recorded in South Africa in 2020. Of these, 442 558 died due to natural causes. This number represents a spike, and is the highest since 2011. While 47 186 South Africans died due to non-natural causes. Conversely, this figure is the lowest since 2011.
CAUSES OF DEATH FOR SOUTH AFRICA’S ELDERLY
As a result, Stats SA says the COVID-19 pandemic and related illnesses led to the highest causes of death for South Africa’s elderly in a decade and a half. The statistics reveal that deaths have only increased between 1999 and 2006. In 2006, the number of deaths annually peaked at 614 578.
However, from 2006 onwards, deaths have been decreasing every year. Until 2020 and the COVID-19 pandemic that is. The state says the highest rates of mortality were in those aged 55 years and older. Therefore, let’s look closer at the highest causes of death for South Africa’s elderly, so you know how to protect yourself:
TOP NATURAL CAUSES OF DEATH IN SOUTH AFRICA
- COVID-19
- Diabetes
- Stroke
- Hypertension
- Influenza
- Pneumonia
- Tuberculosis
- HIV
- Heart disease (CHD)
- Other viral diseases
*The state notes that tuberculosis moved from first in 2018 (6.1% of deaths), to seventh in 2020 (4.0% of deaths).
WHAT ARE UNNATURAL CAUSES?
If you’re wondering what unnatural death entails, 44% are listed under ‘unspecified’. Then, the next highest is ‘external cause’, ‘accidental injury’ and ‘assault’. The latter constitutes violent crimes, including death from firearms. ‘Transport’ accidents claimed just 4 592 deaths in 2020. A number significantly down due to COVID-19 lockdowns, because the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) attributed 12 436 deaths to road accidents in 2022 alone.
NEXT READ: UPDATED info: May 2024 SASSA Older Persons grants
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