At the event (Source: VNA)HCM City (VNA) – The Health WorkingGroup (HWG) hosted a policy dialogue on promoting healthy aging andnon-communicable diseases (NCD) control for a healthy Asia - Pacific region.
The event, part of the third APEC SeniorOfficials’ Meeting (SOM 3) and related meetings in HCM City, drew over 100 delegates fromAPEC economies, representatives from UN agencies, international and socialorganisations, researchers and health care service providers.
Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Health Pham LeTuan said population aging generates major opportunities and challenges, andimpacts all economic and social aspects.
The APEC economies account for 40.5 percent ofthe global population and nearly 50 percent of the total elderly in the world.Most APEC members are facing challenges posed by rapid population aging.
Vietnam’s population aging started in 2011, withthe rate of people aged 60 and above making up 10 percent. It is now among thecountries with the fastest population aging speed. Vietnam has more than 10million old people and figure is estimated to reach 28 million by 2050.
Participants also discussed issues such aspopulation aging in the APEC region, the burden of non-communicable diseases(NCDs) amid population aging, prevention and control of NCDs among the elderly.
Tuan also highlighted the fast increase of NCDsand population aging pose huge challenges for the global health care system.
Heart diseases, diabetes, cancers and chronicdiseases are among the leading causes of death among old people, Tuan said,adding that APEC economies need to seek ways to prevent and control NCDs in thecontext of population aging.
The dialogue offered an opportunity for healthmanagers, scientists, organisations and individuals to share experience inaddressing NCDs amid population aging, towards a healthy and prosperousAsia-Pacific region.-VNA
VNA
