Vietnamese people are not rich yet but old and sick

The average age of Vietnamese people today is 73.4 years old, but the healthy age is low, only 64 years old, meaning that the elderly have many illnesses.

About 66% of the elderly in Vietnam currently live in rural areas, are farmers and work in agriculture. The life expectancy of the people has increased to a high level (73.4 years) but the healthy life expectancy is low (64 years). The elderly face a double burden of disease, suffering from many diseases at the same time, especially chronic diseases (diabetes, blood pressure ...).

A recent study shows that more than 67% of the elderly live in poor or very poor health. The majority face material difficulties. Meanwhile, the social security system has not met the needs, there is no long-term care system, there is no system to provide jobs for the elderly...

According to Deputy Minister of Health Pham Le Tuan, population aging affects all aspects of socio-economic life such as economic growth, investment, accumulation, labor, health care, social security, infrastructure design, international migration, etc. This poses great challenges, with long-term impacts on the country in all socio-economic fields, including health care for the elderly.

Speaking at a recent conference, Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam said that Vietnam needs to provide community-based care for the elderly; develop a family medicine model; and strengthen the system of hospitals specializing in geriatrics and human resources in elderly care.

In addition, it is necessary to develop many models such as nursing homes that are suitable for the cultural traditions of the Vietnamese people. Promote the development of primary health care to not only prevent diseases and provide primary health care, but especially care for the elderly, focusing on chronic diseases.

Elderly Vietnamese struggle to make a living. Photo: Le Hoang.

Vietnam is one of the countries with the fastest aging population in the world. Our country has about 10 million elderly people, equivalent to about 11%. Vietnam officially entered the aging population stage since 2011.Every year, the world adds about 58 million people over the age of 60, meaning that on average, two people turn 60 every second. This number is expected to increase from 900 million to 2 billion by 2050.

Countries with developed economies take decades, even centuries, to move from the aging population stage (the population aged 60 and over accounts for 10%) to the aging population stage (the population aged 60 and over accounts for 20%). For example, it took Australia 73 years, the US 69 years, Canada 65 years... Meanwhile, it only took Vietnam 22 years. It is forecasted that by 2030, the elderly in Vietnam will account for 17% of the population and will increase to 25% by 2050 (28 million people).

According to VNE