[infographic] Communicable Diseases in sub-Saharan East Africa

01 November 2016

The recent AIDF infographic provides a snapshot of the current health situation in sub-Saharan East Africa. Communicable diseases remain a major public health challenge in the African region, causing a significant burden of illness, disability and mortality. Contributing to the problem is the frequent occurrence of epidemic outbreaks driven by multiple factors, including: weak public health systems, natural disasters or civil unrest leading to displacement of populations and overcrowding, and poor environmental conditions favouring disease transmission.

The infographic was created in time for the 2nd annual Aid & Development Africa Summit. To download the infographic, click here.

HIV/AIDS and Tuberculosis

While only housing 11% of the world’s population, Africa is home to 60% of people with HIV/AIDS. Tuberculosis (TB), which is one of the top 10 causes of death worldwide, is the leading killer of those infected with HIV/AIDS, accounting for 35% of deaths in 2015. On a positive note, 49 million lives were saved between 2000 and 2015 through TB diagnosis and treatment.

Malaria

Globally, 3.2 billion people live in areas at risk of malaria. Sub-Saharan Africa carries a disproportionately high share of the global malaria burden. In 2015, 88% of global cases and 90% of global deaths occurred in the African Region.

However, the global mortality rate from malaria has declined by an impressive 57% since 2000. In addition, 33 out of 42 malaria-endemic countries in Africa have adopted artemisinin-based combination therapy, which is the most effective antimalarial medicines available today, as first-line treatment. The eradication of malaria by 2040 will save 11 million lives and have $2 trillion dollars of economic impact.

Cholera

Cholera remains a significant health concern in Africa, with an estimated 60,000 cases. 80% of cases worldwide occur in Kenya, Tanzania, Afghanistan, Haiti and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

Hear more about innovations and best practice to tackle communicable diseases at the 2nd annual Aid & Development Africa Summit, on 28 February-1 March in Nairobi, Kenya. During the two-day summit, international and regional experts will gather to discuss the latest technological advances and initiatives providing an opportunity for knowledge exchange and networking amongst public, private and civil society stakeholders. For more information about the event and to register, please visit africa.aidforum.org

The infographic was created in partnership with B Medical Systems, leading provider of innovative refrigeration and storage solutions for safe transport and management of blood products and vaccines.