Burden of Disease Research Unit

Research highlights

• The work done by the unit estimating the impact of HIV/AIDS on mortality brought into sharp focus the extent of the epidemic, the largest in the history of South Africa. The public interest in the findings has been unprecedented and it is anticipated that the information will ultimately be utilised by policy makers in guiding and evaluating the nation’s response to the epidemic. The unit has been active on the Interdepartmental Task team to assist with improving mortality statistics and estimating the impact of HIV/AIDS. This has involved briefing sessions with various heads of government departments.
• The unit played an important role in co-ordinating South Africa's first Demographic and Health Survey (SADHS) of 1998. The findings of the SADHS highlight the health inequalities that exist in South African society. The survey is a key tool to assist policy makes in redressing the unequal distribution of health care and to ensure that health policy and legislation are consistent with the objectives of achieving greater access and better quality of care and other health benefits for all South Africans.
• The Burden of Disease Research Unit recently completed the first National Burden of Disease study for South Africa. Following the Global Burden of Disease study methodology the main focus of the study was to estimate the burden due to premature mortality (years of life lost ) for the year 2000. Attempts were also made to estimate the additional burden contributed by morbidity (years lived with disability), to estimate the disability adjusted life years, and to assess the impact of HIV/AIDS on premature mortality in the year 2010. Estimates were derived from different data sources for the levels and underlying causes of disease and injury deaths. The top 20 causes of death and premature mortality were ranked and those contributing the greatest burden can be prioritised for seeking cost-effective health interventions. Initial Burden of Disease Estimates for South Africa, 2000 (pdf format, 466kb)