Zimbabwe has an adult mortality rate per 1000 population of 826 for males and 797 for females. Life expectancy for males is 37.1; for females 36.51. Healthy life expectancy is 31.6 for males; 31.0 for females.³⁸ Predictions suggest that life expectancy will fall further in the coming years - from a life expectancy of 56 in early 1970s.³⁹ This fall is mainly attributable to the soaring AIDS death rates.

Around 15,000 new cancer patients are diagnosed each year.²⁹ Most patients present with advanced disease having tried alternative herbal treatments or traditional healers.²⁸

A 1995 survey⁴⁰ classified 45% of Zimbabwean households as ‘very poor’ with an income below the level of subsistence. Around 70% of Zimbabweans reside in rural areas and it is these areas which have the highest percentage of poverty, estimated at 71% of households.

The high cost of rented accommodation exacerbates the overcrowding in high density areas, contributing to the spread of communicable diseases. Throughout Zimbabwe the incidence of suicide, mental illness, child abuse and domestic violence is on the increase.⁴¹

In hospitals, the major causes of death include tuberculosis, malaria and respiratory infections. The Ministry of Health prioritises diseases in its National Health Strategy 1997-2007, where HIV/AIDS, sexually transmitted diseases and tuberculosis head the list above malaria and reproductive diseases. The estimated adult prevalence of HIV/AIDS appears to be stabilizing, whereas the number of new AIDS cases and AIDS-related deaths are increasing. Recent estimates indicate more than 2,500 AIDS-related deaths occur each week.⁴² HIV estimates for 2003⁴³ are shown in Table 8.

Table 8 AIDS data: estimates for 2003

Source: Zimbabwe National HIV/AIDS Estimates 2003.