Causes of Death in South Africa 1997-2001 Advance release of recorded causes of death

1. Causes of Death in South Africa 1997-2001 Advance release of recorded causes of death Launch Presentation 21 November 2002

2. Outline of presentation • Introduction • Data & methods • Key findings • Leading causes of death (levels and trends) • Differentials (gender, age, population group) • Conclusion

3. Introduction • Last report on causes of death was for 1996 • Statistics SA published release on recorded deaths • Based on data from Population Register • For the period 1997 to 2000 • Release observed rising number of deaths • Did not identify the causes contributing to increase • Call from President for information on causes of death among South Africans

4. Aims of the present study • Complement the earlier reports • Identify leading underlying causes of death for period 1997-2001 • Identify emerging cause of death trends & patterns during the period

5. Data & methods • Based on 12% stratified random sample • Death notification forms from DHA • For period 1997-2001 • To expedite release of information on causes of death • 279 581 records processed instead of over 2million • Methodology consistent with international practice • Study based on notification forms completed by medical practitioner certifying death • Coding consistent with WHO rules (ICD-10) • Quality of data determined by physicians

6. Leading underlying causes of death for both males and females, 1997-2001 • Unspecified unnatural causes (11%) • Ill-defined causes of death (8%) • Tuberculosis (8%) • HIV (7%) • Influenza and pneumonia (6%) • Account for 41% of deaths

7. Percentage of deaths due to the leading underlying causes by year of death,1997-2001

8. Changing importance of leading underlying causes of deaths for both males and females, 1997 & 2001

9. Differential patterns of underlying causes of death • Gender differentials • Age differentials • Differentials by population group

10. Percentage distribution of deaths due to leading underlying causes by gender,1997-2001

11. Changing importance in the leading underlying causes of male deaths, 1997 & 2001

12. Changing importance of the leading underlying causes of female deaths, 1997 & 2001

13. Age differentials in leading underlying causes of death • Population younger than 15: • Leading underlying cause of death intestinal infections (15.4% of male; 16.1% of female deaths) • Increased proportion of deaths due to HIV and Influenza and pneumonia as underlying cause • Malnutrition is important underlying cause of death: • Seventh leading cause of death • Accounted for 7% of male deaths • Accounted for 6% of female deaths

14. % Male deaths due to the leading underlying causes of death by age, 1997-2001

15. % Female deaths due to the leading underlying causes by age, 1997-2001

16. Mortality differentials in the older ages • Population aged 50 and older • Patterns of underlying causes of death are unique • Degenerative diseases major cause • Four common leading underlying causes of death for males and females are: • Cerebrovascular • Ischaemic heart disease • Other heart diseases • General symptoms & signs • Account for 41% of female and 31% of male deaths • Diabetes among the 5 leading causes for females • Ill-defined causes among the 5 leading causes for males

17. % Male deaths due to the eight leading underlying causes, by population group, 1997-2001

18. % Female deaths due to eight leading underlying causes, by population group,1997-2001

19. Conclusion • Changing underlying mortality patterns over time • Differential effects of the changes by: • Gender, Age & Population Group • Unspecified unnatural causes dominate • Emergence of different underlying causes of death • HIV, TB, and Influenza & pneumonia • Women more likely to die from HIV • Decline in unspecified unnatural causes • Offset by sharp increase in other underlying causes (HIV, TB, and influenza & pneumonia) • Results have implication for policy