Report Rising Non-Communicable Diseases Among Vietnamese Seniors Spotlight Healthcare Challenges

[snoop1130]

Picture courtesy of Vietnam News

 

The prevalence of non-communicable diseases among seniors in Việt Nam is becoming a critical health concern, experts say. Chronic conditions like hypertension, diabetes, coronary artery disease, osteoarthritis, and cancer are increasingly impacting the elderly population, compounded by issues such as cognitive decline, depression, and memory impairment.

 

Statistics from the Ministry of Health indicate that while the average life expectancy in Việt Nam is over 73.6 years, the number of healthy years is only 65.4. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyễn Văn Tân of the HCM City University of Medicine and Pharmacy points out that multiple ailments afflict the elderly, with 75.5% suffering from one to two diseases, and about 1.34% dealing with three or more.

 

This demographic shift from infectious to chronic non-communicable diseases highlights a significant transformation in elderly health challenges. The healthcare costs for seniors are markedly higher—seven to eight times more than for children—placing a substantial financial burden on families, particularly in impoverished and remote areas.

 

Phạm Chánh Trung, director of the population division at the city Department of Health, notes that the healthcare system is yet to catch up with the rapidly aging populace. Access to essential health services and counseling is limited, and the quality of care is often inadequate for those living alone or in need of lifelong treatment for multiple conditions.

 

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Đỗ Kim Quế from Thống Nhất Hospital attributes the rise in non-communicable diseases to extended life spans and lifestyle factors, including poor diet, lack of physical activity, and stress. He stresses the importance of early detection and timely treatment in managing these health issues.

 

To address these growing challenges, analysts emphasize the need to enhance primary healthcare services at the grassroots level. Priorities should include accessible and available care, comprehensive annual health check-ups, and the development of electronic health records for seniors. A robust health database could facilitate detailed analysis of disease patterns among the elderly.

 

Recent data from the Pasteur Institute in HCM City reveals concerning numbers: over three million people were identified with hypertension in early 2025, with 1.4 million under management or treatment. Additionally, more than 1.2 million were diagnosed with diabetes, with 656,000 receiving treatment. These conditions, alongside chronic respiratory diseases and cancer, account for nearly 80% of deaths in Việt Nam.

 

Efforts to combat these health challenges must focus on strengthening healthcare infrastructure, promoting preventive measures, and expanding access to necessary treatments to improve the quality of life for Việt Nam’s aging population.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Vietnam News 2025-05-22

 

 

[GammaGlobulin]

 

 

[bkk6060]

Wow, females live almost 10 years longer?  Wonder why.