Statistics SA report: mortality and the causes of death in SA - parliamentary statement
(22 February 2005)We know from other statistics that population growth for the corresponding period does not explain these deaths, nor can they be ascribed solely to murder and motor vehicle accidents.
As the Statistician-General has acknowledged, this report provides evidence that the HIV/AIDS pandemic is raising mortality levels, and that AIDS-related diseases are on the increase.
It is the working age population and teenagers that are dying at an alarming rate. These escalating deaths speak of thousands upon thousands of personal tragedies every year; when taken together it means that none of us will be untouched by this tragedy. The sheer scale of this pandemic presents a threat to the social fabric and economic prospects of our country. As a society we need to respond with even greater vigour to this crisis, to prevent future infections and to provide treatment and support to those already infected and affected.
