During a discussion on 2/12 regarding the draft national target program for healthcare and population, delegate To Ai Vang, Deputy Head of the Can Tho Delegation, emphasized the need for specific attention to the health and longevity of men in Vietnam.

Citing 2024 data from the General Statistics Office, she highlighted that the average healthy lifespan for Vietnamese people is 65,4 years. However, men average 62,8 years, 5,2 years less than women. Overall, men's average life expectancy is also 5 years lower than women's (72,3 compared to 77,3 years).

Data from the World Health Organization and the United Nations Population Division indicate a global life expectancy gap between men and women, ranging from 5 to 10 years, and increasing in some nations. For example, men's life expectancy is 5 years lower than women's in Trung Quoc, 7 years lower in the United States, and 10 years lower in Russia.

Ms. Vang referenced medical studies suggesting that a contributing factor is the gradual loss of the Y chromosome in men's cell populations, particularly after the age of 60. This loss heightens the risk of cardiac tissue scarring, heart failure, and mortality. She urged the health sector to thoroughly investigate this phenomenon in Vietnam.

Beyond biological factors, Ms. Vang noted that men often neglect self-care, engage in prolonged smoking and alcohol consumption, eat quickly, and lead less active lifestyles than women. They frequently disregard medical advice and hesitate to seek check-ups, even as hormonal decline after age 40 accelerates aging. A self-perception of being "strong and healthy" often leads men to miss crucial treatment windows. The cultural norm of teaching boys to "endure" and suppress emotions also negatively impacts physical, mental health, and overall longevity.

Delegate To Ai Vang speaks at the assembly. Photo: Hoang Phong

Based on this reality, Ms. Vang proposed that the national target program include specific goals for increasing men's healthy lifespan. Initially, by 2030, the life expectancy of middle-aged men should increase by three years, and by 2035, by five years. Additionally, the program should aim to reduce the mortality rate from non-communicable diseases among men to 30% by 2030 and 50% by 2035.

She advocated for the program to incorporate specialized men's healthcare content, drawing inspiration from strategies in Australia and the United Kingdom. This approach would address unique challenges, improve disease prevention, and enhance quality of life. Ms. Vang warned that without dedicated policies, most men reaching 70 years old would experience severe health decline, potentially destabilizing families, impacting gender balance, and hindering sustainable development. "This also contributes to loneliness and inequality for women in their twilight years", she stated.

Shifting focus to elderly care, delegate Tran Thi Hien of the Ninh Binh Delegation voiced concerns about Vietnam's demographic projections: the country is expected to enter an aging population phase in 2036 and become a super-aged nation by 2049. This demographic shift presents substantial challenges for both the national budget and social resources.

Currently, Vietnam has 46 elderly care facilities nationwide. The national target program aims to establish an additional 15 facilities by 2030 and another 10 in the subsequent five years, bringing the total to 60 by 2030 and 70 by 2035. However, Ms. Hien pointed out that the social assistance network plan mandates a minimum of 90 public and non-public elderly care facilities by 2030. She argued for breakthrough policies to construct an additional 30 facilities within the next five years to meet this demand.

She further explained that many localities struggle to secure suitable land, as nursing homes are not classified as medical facilities and thus do not receive land-use incentives. Establishing nursing homes requires significant capital investment with slow returns. Essential equipment, including ambulances, rehabilitation tools, and specialized medical beds, also incurs high costs.

Consequently, she proposed specific incentives for land, rent, and finance for nursing homes that provide medical examination, treatment, rehabilitation, and long-term care services. Additionally, she suggested piloting a semi-residential care model for the elderly, tailored to local conditions.

Vu Tuan