The World Health Organization’s most recent data on global deaths has good news for the African continent, including fewer people dying of HIV/AIDS and malaria.
The new death statistics researched by African fact-checking organization, Africa Check, indicated that lifestyle diseases have taken over as the leading causes of death on the continent.
Lower respiratory tract infections top the list. These are caused by viruses and bacteria that target airways and lungs.
The most common diseases under this category is bronchitis or pneumonia which is responsible for 16% of global deaths of children younger than five.
HIV/AIDS took the number two position despite the increase in education on prevention and treatment.
An estimated 760,000 deaths from HIV/AIDS and related complications were recorded in Africa in 2015, against the 1 million deaths in 2010.