Overview of the health equality among ethnic minorities in Vietnam

Abstract

 This overview study aims at describing the current health equality situation among ethnic minorities in Vietnam. The literature review demonstrates that there are differences in health indicators, access to and use of health care services, and fundamental factors affecting the health of ethnic minorities among ethnic minority groups, the whole country and the Kinh people. Most indicators of health, access to and use of health care services among ethnic minorities are lower than those of the whole country and Kinh people. Fundamental factors affecting health such as the rate of smoking and drinking alcohol are higher than those of the Kinh people; the rate of using hygienic water and hygienic latrines is lower than that of the whole country and of the Kinh people and there are differences among ethnic minorities. In the coming time, it is essential to have a comprehensive study on the health inequality situation of ethnic minorities based on each ethnic group and its socio-economic characteristics, and measures are needed to minimize health inequities among ethnic minorities.