The STEPS to a Well Bermuda survey is rapidly approaching its halfway mark, collecting valuable information about the Island’s health.

Health Minister Jeanne Atherden said that almost 1,000 families have been contacted about the survey, which uses the Pan-American Health Organisation’s STEPwise approach to chronic diseases, such as diabetes and heart disease.

“Chronic non-communicable diseases such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease and cancers contribute the greatest proportion of the total burden of disease in Bermuda — and are, by far, the leading cause of death,” she said.

“The tragedy is that many of these conditions and their complications can be prevented and, as we know, effective action to prevent and control these diseases depends on timely access to accurate and reliable information about the prevalence of these diseases and their associated risk factors.”

She said the four-part survey includes a questionnaire, physical measurements, the collection of samples and assessments of health and physical activity.

“STEPS to a Well Bermuda builds on previous surveys for Bermuda which relied only on self-reported information,” Mrs Atherden said. “While those surveys had their benefits, inaccuracy in self-reporting can result in underestimation or overestimation of the prevalence of risk factors, health behaviours, and chronic diseases in the population.

“Ideally, self-reported data should not be used as the only data source and the STEPS survey will give Bermuda objective measures to evaluate the health status of the population.”

She said interviewers began the work of surveying the public in November, and as of this week, 990 Bermudian households have been reached and completed 727 surveys.

The preliminary results suggest that almost a quarter of participants had fasting blood glucose levels in the upper-normal range. Those individuals were then referred for further testing, revealing several previously undiagnosed cases of diabetes.

“Additionally, 11 percent of participants during this study period had raised fasting blood glucose levels indicative of diabetes and 40 percent of participants had elevated (21 percent) or high (19 percent) cholesterol,” Mrs Atherden said. “These preliminary results indicate the need for this survey, as it helps to determine public health priorities in chronic disease prevention.

“Common, preventable risk factors underlie most chronic diseases. The basis of chronic disease prevention is the identification of the major common risk factors, as the risk factors of today are the diseases of tomorrow.”

She urged the selected households to follow through with the survey, saying: “Even if you feel you are in good health or had a physical recently, your participation is essential as it will help to shape the picture of Bermuda’s health status. I implore the public, if one of our interviewers comes to your home, please participate.”