Across South Africa and the globe, a silent scourge is devastating public health. Chronic respiratory diseases (CRDs), including asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), remain significantly underreported. Despite their prevalence, they receive far less attention than infectious diseases. In South Africa, CRDs account for 4% of all annual deaths. Data from 2019 reveals 20,149…
Chronic Respiratory Diseases: A Silent Health Crisis
Original Article by Tamsin Metelerkamp | Daily Maverick | 11 March 2026
Across South Africa and the globe, a silent scourge is devastating public health. Chronic respiratory diseases (CRDs), including asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), remain significantly underreported. Despite their prevalence, they receive far less attention than infectious diseases. In South Africa, CRDs account for 4% of all annual deaths. Data from 2019 reveals 20,149 […]
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