In 2012, it is estimated that just over 1.1 million people died across the continent from AIDS complications, according to the NGO Africa Check. Already in 2015, the last year with official data, this number dropped to about 760 thousand.

Much of this reduction is due to awareness campaigns and medical treatments that are becoming increasingly popular there. Malaria is another disease that has also had low fatalities in recent years.

The bad news, however, is that this has opened the door to more “western” diseases: Today, the leading cause of death in Africa is related to respiratory tract problems such as bronchitis and pneumonia. It is estimated that over 1 million people die each year from some of these diseases.

Prevention campaigns are increasing across the continent

In third place, with 643, 000 deaths in 2015, is diarrhea. Poor sanitation is the main factor making this problem one of the largest in the whole continent. Stroke deaths are in fourth place, rising 4.9% over the years surveyed and victimizing 451, 000 Africans.

Ischemic heart disease completes the Top 5 with 403, 000 deaths. Strokes, heart problems, and liver cirrhosis are growing fast throughout Africa, which is now suffering from these diseases that are usually due to lifestyles that are unimportant to health and well-being. They happen because of the urbanization that has been growing all over the continent and make the routine increasingly westernized.