Communicable diseases, non-communicable diseases (NCDs), and environmental factors such as air pollution continue to be the leading risk factors by total number of deaths in East Africa.
These diseases disproportionately affected vulnerable populations, particularly in areas with limited access to healthcare services.
The rising burden of NCDs was attributed to factors like urbanisation, lifestyle changes, and limited healthcare infrastructure for early detection and management.
Air pollution emerged as a significant environmental risk factor, contributing to a substantial number of deaths.
The use of solid fuels for cooking in poorly ventilated spaces was a major source of household air pollution, particularly affecting women and children
