Obesity and diabetes could cost Bermuda $26 million in health insurance claims over the next decade, Kim Wilson warned today.

The Minister of Health told the House of Assembly that this figure does not include indirect costs, such as the impact on other conditions, out of pocket payments, wages and work hours lost.

She said: “Obesity, and the lifestyle choices that cause it, also lead to the early onset of preventable diseases like diabetes, kidney disease and heart disease.

“These conditions bear a terrible burden on those afflicted, on their families, and they are expensive to treat.

“Estimates by the Bermuda Health Council indicate that, based in health insurance claims alone, obesity and diabetes will add over $26 million to our Island’s health costs over the next ten years.

“This is just the direct cost of medical care and does not include indirect costs, like the impact on other conditions, out of pocket payments, subsidies, wages and work hours lost.

“Those indirect costs are part of the larger health economic impact. Bermuda just can’t afford this.”

Ms Wilson repeated that three in four island residents are overweight and obese — among the highest in the world.

“Look in the mirror. Are you a woman with a waist measuring more than 35 inches or a man with a waist larger than 40 inches? If the answer is ‘yes’, then include yourself in the statistic.”

She added: “Bermuda today is suffering from epidemic levels of obesity and chronic non-communicable diseases like diabetes and kidney disease.

Ms Wilson highlighted initiatives to tackle the problem, including the community health drive Taking it to the Streets.

She said the Department of Health screened 350 people and referred 126 for extra medial assessment because they had high blood sugar and blood pressure readings.

“This means one in three persons screened were at risk and in need of medical attention. How many other people are walking among us today in a similar state?”

Ms Wilson said that last month’s Celebrating Wellness event provided a supportive forum and targeted information to help get the word out and make health the easier choice.

Meanwhile, the 50 Million Steps Challenge aimed to get people moving.

“Bermuda’s walkers showed that what they are made of, and more than doubled the original goal to 100 million steps taken.”

She added that the Enhanced Care Pilot targeting underinsured and uninsured persons with chronic non-communicable diseases also showed encouraging initial feedback.

“In addition, we are hard at work to develop proposals for Bermuda’s Sugar Tax, which we intend to begin consultation on in the coming months.

“And I am personally committed to reintroducing the Vending Machine Policy in Government Buildings to ensure healthier options are available on Government properties.

“We must not continue to promote the very choices that make us sick and cost us so dearly.”

And she revealed that work was under way to establish a National Register of Chronic Diseases, which she said should help the country manage chronic diseases better.

“Accurate national health statistics are a basic requirement to address the chronic disease problem in Bermuda.

“We must be able to know the population’s health status and accurately track our progress following interventions.”

• To read the full ministerial statement, see the PDF under “Related Media”.