This information was revealed by Dr. Truong Hong Son, Deputy General Secretary of the Vietnam Medical Association and Director of the Vietnam Institute of Applied Medicine, at a seminar on community healthcare held in Hanoi on 18/9. The seminar, titled "Community Healthcare - A Sustainable Solution for Development", was co-organized by Nhan Dan newspaper and Felecia.
While Vietnamese men and women rank 5th and 2nd respectively in life expectancy in Southeast Asia, they also experience a high number of years living with illness. On average, Vietnamese people live approximately 10 years with diseases, significantly impacting their healthspan. In contrast, the Japanese, with a higher life expectancy of 86 years, generally enjoy good health until around age 80.
According to Dr. Son, Vietnam's disease patterns have shifted. Fifty years ago, life expectancy was lower, with infectious diseases like cholera and dysentery being the primary causes of death. Today, with increased longevity, non-communicable diseases account for 80% of deaths. This means that out of every 10 deaths, 8 are due to these diseases, with cardiovascular disease being the most prevalent (4 cases), followed by cancer (2 cases), diabetes, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) each accounting for 1 case.
Dr. Son highlights three key factors contributing to this situation. The first is an unbalanced diet. While malnutrition and stunted growth remain prevalent, there's a simultaneous rise in overweight and obesity. Many children lack vitamin A and essential micronutrients, impacting their physical development and increasing their risk of non-communicable diseases.
"During medical examinations, we've observed families where one child suffers from malnutrition while another is overweight or obese," Dr. Son shared.
This reflects a lack of nutritional awareness. Malnutrition isn't just about insufficient food intake but also about micronutrient deficiencies. Many children consume enough calories but lack essential vitamins and minerals such as vitamin A, iron, and zinc. These deficiencies directly affect their height and physical development, leading to stunted growth.
Conversely, overweight and obesity often result from excessive consumption of empty calories, found in foods high in sugar and fat like fast food, soft drinks, and confectionery, which are low in vitamins and fiber.
Dr. Son further illustrates this point by noting a common misconception that thin children will eventually become overweight. In reality, a child with stunted growth due to malnutrition, if they continue with poor dietary habits, is highly susceptible to obesity later in life. Their bodies tend to store more energy to compensate for the initial nutritional deficit, leading to a higher risk of overweight and obesity compared to others.
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Elderly people receiving vaccinations in TP HCM. Photo: Quynh Tran |
Non-communicable diseases account for over two-thirds of the disease burden and mortality. The main causes include smoking, alcohol consumption, high salt intake, low consumption of fruits and vegetables, and lack of physical activity.
Dr. Tu Quang from the Military Medical Academy adds that busy lifestyles lead many to consume ultra-processed foods and have irregular sleep patterns. Many young people working remotely engage in little to no physical activity. A sedentary lifestyle, chronic sleep deprivation, and stress also contribute to declining health.
Environmental pollution and climate change further exacerbate the number of illnesses and hospitalizations.
Resolution 72 sets a target for Vietnam to increase average life expectancy to 75.5 years and healthspan to at least 68 years by 2030. To achieve this, experts recommend focusing on improving health through measures like a healthy and balanced diet, micronutrient supplementation, regular physical activity, and stress management.
"Without a strong immune system and good physical condition, susceptibility to illness increases, making disease prevention more crucial than treatment," stated Dr. Quang.
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