Samantha Aspeling, Author at Actuarial Society of South Africa

Compounding the Complexity: The Impact of Comorbidities on NCD Management

Samantha Aspeling | June 28, 2021

While the rise of individual non-communicable diseases (NCDs) is a known global challenge, the reality for many patients is far more complex: living with multiple chronic conditions simultaneously. This brief, the fifth in our series funded by ASSA, explores how “comorbidity” and “multimorbidity” impact health outcomes and costs in South Africa. The research highlights that … Compounding the Complexity: The Impact of Comorbidities on NCD Management

A Deep Dive into the Rising Burden of Cancer in South Africa

Samantha Aspeling | June 28, 2021

Cancer is currently the second leading cause of global mortality, with over 70% of these deaths occurring in developing countries. This latest research brief, part of a series funded by ASSA and produced by Percept, explores the mechanisms driving the increasing incidence of cancer in South Africa. From the biological impacts of an ageing population … A Deep Dive into the Rising Burden of Cancer in South Africa

The Impact of Geography on Non-Communicable Diseases in South Africa

Samantha Aspeling | April 1, 2021

Where you live is a powerful predictor of your health. This fourth brief in our NCD series, produced by Percept and funded by ASSA, explores how geography shapes the risk, prevalence, and management of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in South Africa. From the “pockets of poverty” created by historical spatial inequities to the rapid urbanisation changing … The Impact of Geography on Non-Communicable Diseases in South Africa

The Not So Sweet Truth: A Deep Dive into Diabetes in South Africa

Samantha Aspeling | October 30, 2020

Diabetes prevalence in South Africa has surged from 4.5% in 2010 to 12.8% in 2020, yet a staggering number of cases remain undiagnosed. This comprehensive brief, produced by Percept and funded by ASSA, explores the multifaceted nature of the diabetes epidemic, from its “communicable” environmental drivers to the biological impacts of “metabolic memory”. As the … The Not So Sweet Truth: A Deep Dive into Diabetes in South Africa

Mind the Gap: A Deep Dive into Mental Health in South Africa

Samantha Aspeling | October 29, 2020

Mental health is often the “invisible” epidemic, yet it carries a profound impact on South Africa’s social and economic fabric. This comprehensive brief, part of the NCD series produced by Percept and funded by ASSA, explores the vast “treatment gap” where nearly 90% of South Africans with mental health disorders do not receive professional care. … Mind the Gap: A Deep Dive into Mental Health in South Africa

Tracking the Next Co-Epidemic: HIV and NCDs in South Africa

Samantha Aspeling | August 31, 2020

While antiretroviral treatment (ART) has transformed HIV into a manageable chronic condition, it has also paved the way for a new challenge: the rise of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) among people living with HIV. This sixth brief in our NCD series, funded by ASSA and produced by Percept, explores the “multimorbidity” of HIV and NCDs. The … Tracking the Next Co-Epidemic: HIV and NCDs in South Africa

The Crucial Role of Households in Managing NCDs in South Africa

Samantha Aspeling | July 29, 2020

Chronic illness is rarely an individual journey; it is a household one. This eighth brief in our NCD series, produced by Percept and funded by ASSA, shifts the focus from the clinic to the home. It explores how household dynamics, ranging from financial resource pooling to shared dietary habits, determine how non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are … The Crucial Role of Households in Managing NCDs in South Africa

The Interplay of Sex, Gender, and NCDs in South Africa

Samantha Aspeling | July 1, 2020

How do biological sex and societal gender roles impact the burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs)?. This third brief in our NCD series, produced by Percept and funded by ASSA, explores the complex relationships between biology, gendered expectations, and health outcomes in South Africa. From the biological risks post-menopause to the impact of “masculinity” on health-seeking … The Interplay of Sex, Gender, and NCDs in South Africa