Vietnamese children are healthier today than ever before. The under-five mortality rate in 2002 was reported to be between 30-40 per 1 000 live births. This is about one-third of the death rate of 1960. Immunization, which protects Vietnamese children every year against diseases such as measles, polio, diphtheria and tetanus, has contributed significantly to this success.
Immunizations today save more than three million lives a year. Globally millions of children still do not have access to basic immunization and die from diseases that can be prevented by available vaccines. Here in Viet Nam the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) began in 1981. It is one of the most successful of the nation's priority health programmes.
Food safety is a public health priority. Globally, millions of people fall ill every year and many die as a result of eating unsafe food. WHO is working to minimize health risks from the farm to the table, to promote food safety. Food safety is a major concern for the government of Viet Nam. The human costs of food-borne diseases, lost production from diseases and related markets losses surpass US$ 1 billion per year (i.e. 2 per cent of Viet Nam GDP).
Injuries and violence are a major and growing public health problem in Viet Nam. In 2006, one in four deaths was attributed to injury - a dramatic increase from just 2% in 1976. The World Health Organization Global Burden of Disease Survey (GBD) estimates that 39% of all deaths aged 5-29 years are caused by violence and injuries (2002). Associated with rapid economic growth, motorization in Viet Nam increases by more than 15% annually. This high exposure, especially to vulnerable road users, as well as limited knowledge and enforcement of known risk factors has resulted in a rapid increase in the number of traffic injuries and deaths. Road traffic injuries were the leading cause of injury death with a mortality rate of 21.2 per 100,000 population (2006), one of the highest in the region.
Survival is a basic right of every child. Viet Nam has achieved impressive improvements in maternal health outcomes. Mortality related to pregnancy and childbirth has been significantly reduced in recent decades. However, despite this progress, the maternal mortality rate (MMR) is currently estimated to be 150 - 165 per 100 000 live births.
As a rapidly developing nation Viet Nam is facing double health burden. While communicable diseases remain an issue, the burden of Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancers and mental disorders is also sharply increasing. This is due to changing of lifestyles, urbanization and aging of the population.
The nutritional status of Viet Nam's population has improved significantly during the past two decades. The food security situation in the country is better than ever and severe child malnutrition has been reduced substantially. The programmes for controlling micronutrient deficiencies (iron, vitamin A, iodine) have been making progress. However, challenges still remain. The malnutrition rate of children in Viet Nam is still very high.
The degree of dental decay in Viet Nam is growing rapidly. According to the National Oral Health Survey more than 85% of 6-8 year olds are affected by tooth decay. In adults the average number of decayed teeth is 8.
In Viet Nam, tobacco-related illnesses are the leading cause of death. 40 000 people die each year from smoking. That's more than a hundred people per day and three times higher than deaths from traffic injuries. This country has one of THE highest male smoking rates in the world: more than half the adult men in this country smoke!