Pneumonia is the leading cause of death in men, this is according to the Kenya Vital Statistics Report released on Wednesday.
According to the report, while the number of case has been dropping gradually, Pneumonia remains the leading cause, followed by Cancer.
In 2024, 5,244 men are reported to have died of the same, compared to 5,404 in 2023.
Cancer deaths in men increased to 4,456 from 3,758 in 2023.
In women, cancer remains the biggest killer disease with 4,498 deaths recorded in 2024, an increase from 3,940 recorded in 2023.
Pneumonia, which is the second highest death causing disease in women has however, decreased with 4,438 cases down from 4,562 recorded in 2023.
Overall, Pneumonia, cancer and cardiovascular diseases were leading causes of registered deaths in health facilities in 2023 and 2024. Pneumonia recorded 9,682 deaths, Cancer (8,954), and Cardio Vascular diseases (7,478).
Hypertension accounted for 5,035, Injuries (4,574), Anaemia (4,572), Kidney Diseases (4,247), Prematurity & Birth Asphyxia (4,223), Diabetes (3,822) and Heart Disease (3,730) closing the top 10 leading causes of deaths in hospitals.
Pneumonia has remained the top leading cause of health facility deaths since 2021.
The report indicates that Cancer rose from the fifth leading cause of registered deaths in health facilities in 2021, to fourth in 2022 and second in the years 2023 and 2024.
These deaths were certified by a medical practitioner accounting for 54.9 per cent of the total registered deaths (206,417) in 2024.
Community deaths accounted for 45.1 per cent of deaths.
Sudden death, pneumonia and cancer remain the leading causes of registered community deaths in 2023 and 2024.
The report noted that there was a decline in the number of
health facilities registered deaths due to Asthma, Malaria, Pneumonia, Road
Traffic Accidents, and Tuberculosis (TB) between 2023 and 2024.
The vital statistics report provides information on births, deaths, marriages, and adoptions, which is essential for understanding the country’s population dynamics.
Statistics on these events are important for socioeconomic planning, informed decision making, monitoring and evaluation of programs on population and health, and measurement of demographic indicators.
