Illness, Morbidity and Mortality in Guyana

any of the most common health problems in Guyana are not very different from those found in the rest of the world. HIV/AIDS, cerebrovascular disease, and ischemic heart disease are the top three leading causes of mortality, respectively. Also in the top ten leading causes of death are: perinatal illness, hypertension, gastrointestinal/diarrheal disorders, diabetes, acute pulmonary infections, suicide, and anemia. These illnesses are those most commonly resulting in the loss of life. However, there are also non-fatal diseases endemic to Guyana that inflict quite a significant amount of morbidity and suffering to the Guyanese population.

According to the most recently conducted World Health Organization national health survey, the most common health problems across all age groups are (in descending order): dental caries, malaria, acute upper and lower respiratory conditions, hypertension, accidental injuries, acute gastroenteritis, diabetes mellitus, helminth infestations, arthritis, and mental disease.

When compared across various age groups, the pattern is a bit different. The most common ailments among children aged 4 and younger are (in descending order): acute pulmonary infections, malaria, helminth infestations, and scabies. Among ages 5-44, malaria, acute pulmonary infections, accidental injuries, helminth infestations, and hypertension are the most common maladies. Most common diseases among people 45 and older are hypertension, malaria, arthritis (rheumatoid and osteoarthritis), diabetes, and acute respiratory infections.