HIV Is the 2nd Highest Killer of South African Youth

HIV was the third leading cause of natural deaths in South Africa in 2013, up three places from the previous year, and the second highest killer of young people, a survey by the national statistics agency shows

Join Our Community of Science Lovers!

JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - HIV was the third leading cause of natural deaths in South Africa in 2013, up three places from the previous year, and the second highest killer of young people, a survey by the national statistics agency showed on Tuesday.

The survey, based on 458,933 deaths that occurred in 2013, showed that HIV was responsible for 11 percent of deaths in the 15 to 44 age group, Statistics South Africa said.

Despite having one of the most extensive HIV/AIDS treatment programs in the world, including rolling out free anti-retroviral drugs a decade ago, the rate of new infections in South Africa has increased.

On supporting science journalism

If you're enjoying this article, consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing. By purchasing a subscription you are helping to ensure the future of impactful stories about the discoveries and ideas shaping our world today.

Over six million South Africans, or 18 percent of the population, are currently infected with the disease, according to the United Nations.

This has left Africa's most advanced economy with the highest number of people living with the disease in the world.

(Reporting by Mfuneko Toyana; Editing by Stella Mapenzauswa)

It’s Time to Stand Up for Science

If you enjoyed this article, I’d like to ask for your support. Scientific American has served as an advocate for science and industry for 180 years, and right now may be the most critical moment in that two-century history.

I’ve been a Scientific American subscriber since I was 12 years old, and it helped shape the way I look at the world. SciAm always educates and delights me, and inspires a sense of awe for our vast, beautiful universe. I hope it does that for you, too.

If you subscribe to Scientific American, you help ensure that our coverage is centered on meaningful research and discovery; that we have the resources to report on the decisions that threaten labs across the U.S.; and that we support both budding and working scientists at a time when the value of science itself too often goes unrecognized.

In return, you get essential news, captivating podcasts, brilliant infographics, can't-miss newsletters, must-watch videos, challenging games, and the science world's best writing and reporting. You can even gift someone a subscription.

There has never been a more important time for us to stand up and show why science matters. I hope you’ll support us in that mission.

Thank you,

David M. Ewalt, Editor in Chief, Scientific American