Copyright greaterbelize
Fewer Babies and Rising Deaths from Chronic Illnesses in Belize In 2024, Belizeans lived through a year of shifting health trends, marked by fewer births, rising chronic illnesses, and a troubling number of preventable deaths. The latest data from the Belize Health Information System offers a snapshot of the country’s well-being. Belize recorded only 5,791 births last year, the lowest number since 1984. Fourteen percent of those births were to adolescent mothers between the ages of 10 and 19. The gender split was nearly even, with boys making up just over half of all newborns. At the same time, the country saw 2,384 deaths. Men accounted for 60 per cent of all fatalities. Seniors aged 80 and above represented the largest share, but chronic diseases were the leading causes of death across all age groups. Heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and cerebrovascular disease topped the list. Cancer alone accounted for 404 new diagnoses and 285 deaths, making it the second leading cause of death. Breast, cervical, and prostate cancers were the most common. While persons over 60 were most affected, 56 per cent were females. Diabetes and hypertension continued to rise. In 2024, Belize diagnosed 1,372 new cases of diabetes and 2,264 new cases of hypertension. Adults aged 40 to 60 were the most affected, and women made up the majority of new diagnoses. Despite this, men continued to die at higher rates. Infectious diseases also posed challenges. Nearly 50,000 Belizeans were tested for HIV, leading to 244 new infections. Men tested positive more often than women, even though women were tested twice as frequently. Dengue fever, while lower than in the previous year, had 1,186 confirmed and probable cases, particularly affecting adults in Toledo and Stann Creek. Mental health data showed that twenty-seven people died by suicide last year, with four out of five victims being male. Suicide attempts were highest among youth aged 15 to 19, while Cayo and the Belize District recorded the highest suicide rates per capita. Road safety emerged as another major concern. Belize recorded 113 road traffic incidents resulting in 132 deaths. Motorcyclists were the most affected group, followed by car occupants and pedestrians. Young men aged 20 to 39 made up nearly half of all fatalities, highlighting the need for targeted road safety campaigns and stricter enforcement.
