The study highlighted the substantial impact of HIV/AIDS as a cause of death in South Africa, and the major health transition that is under way, resulting in what has been called the ‘quadruple’ burden of disease. As countries become more developed the disease profile changes from one of infectious diseases, high child mortality and malnutrition to a predominance of degenerative, chronic diseases. However, developing countries often experience a double burden, resulting from the simultaneous occurrence of these disease spectrums. In the case of South Africa, there is the added burden of injuries and HIV/AIDS.