South Africans’ life expectancy has declined since 1990 amid lifestyle-related illnesses

The Global Burden of Disease Study has shown that life expectancy in South Africa has declined since 1990.

In 1990, our average life expectancy was 67,73 years. It now stands at 66,55 years.

This differs from the global life expectancy, which has increased by around 10 years in the same period.

Although South Africa's life expectancy is lower now than in 1990, Professor Charles Wiysonge, Professor of Global Health at Stellenbosch, points out that it is still higher than in the early 2000s, during the peak of the AIDS epidemic, when the life expectancy in South Africa was around 55 years.

“We have improved by more than a decade from 2007,” he adds.

However, he states that life expectancy should be higher, but it is impacted by non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, and similar conditions.

These conditions are mostly connected to lifestyle factors like unhealthy diet and low levels of physical activity.

To listen to Professor Charles Wiysonge, Professor of Global Health at Stellenbosch, in conversation with John Perlman on 702’s Afternoon Drive, click the audio player for more: