Discovery gives CDIA R2 million for two consecutive years

Chronic diseases, including diabetes, high blood pressure and chronic lung disease account for 39% of deaths in South Africans and are “the second most common cause of morbidity and mortality in South Africa”, says the CDIA Director Professor Naomi Levitt. Of particular concern is the growing impact of diabetes, which ranks seventh in the country’s top causes of death.

The research of the CDIA focuses predominantly on projects that improve early diagnoses and the quality of care of people with chronic diseases.

The first step to prevent chronic diseases is a healthy diet, no smoking and regular physical activity. But these changes are difficult to implement without governmental and societal support as poverty, crime and other systemic problems play a role.

Professor Levitt says, “We have found that our research does seem to have an influence on policy. What the money does for CDIA, which is a network of researchers, is to allow us to do the work within the public sector, i.e. to serve the broader community and helps us expand our reach in South Africa and on the continent.”