Final answer:
The greatest number of deaths in Africa today result from AIDS, outpacing deaths caused by diseases such as malaria, which also has a significant impact across the continent.
Step-by-step explanation:
The greatest number of deaths in Africa today is the result of AIDS. This is based on the past records of the disease's impact, as provided by the World Health Organization (WHO) and various health research findings. In particular, AIDS has been a major cause of mortality on the African continent, where access to medication and treatments for HIV is limited. Compared to other diseases like malaria, which also has a significant death toll in Africa, AIDS is still considered the leading cause of death among certain demographics, especially due to the high transmission rates and the chronic nature of the disease.
It should be noted, however, that both malaria and AIDS are major health concerns in Africa and require significant attention and resources to combat. While malaria causes a substantial number of deaths, especially among children under five, the total number of AIDS-related deaths outpaces that of malaria. Therefore, the correct answer is C. AIDS.