Soweto, an acronym for southwestern townships, was the name given in 1963 to the sprawling agglomeration of townships that had grown up adjacent to Johannesburg to accommodate black people migrating from rural areas and surrounding countries. As in other parts of Africa, Soweto residents face the triple cardiac threat that occurs with epidemiological transition: first from infectious diseases, second from coronary heart disease, and third from HIV/AIDS with re-emergence of tuberculosis. All three contribute to an increase in the incidence of cardiomyopathy and heart failure. Rapid transition is expected with the burden of cardiovascular disease increasing by more than 150% over the next 20 years and that of HIV/AIDS doubling by 2010.
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