<f"FranklinGothic-DemiCond">A REVOLUTIONARY new strategy has been introduced by Government to bring organisations together under one umbrella with a shared vision of promoting the health of the island.
But Health Promotion Co-ordinator Jennifer Attride-Stirling
Dr. Attride-Stirling said a shared agenda and common set of goals were needed to capitalise fully on the existing resources, which is when “Well Bermuda” was born — providing a unifying vision for a healthy Bermuda.
Working together, an agreed set of priorities, goals and objectives was identified, which in turn meant the multitude of agencies which contribute to the well-being of Bermuda’s population could have a point of convergence from which to act.
“This will enable parallel agencies to be on the same page, and all public health partners to sing from the same hymn sheet,” she said. “These are not simplistic platitudes, but the frankest lay description of the genuine aim of the strategy — to bring us together, because health promotion is about all of us.”
By referring to various studies and surveys conducted over the last six years, she was able to identify the island’s leading health issues, causes of death and establish the most pressing health issues facing the island, which include obese and overweight peopley, heart disease and stroke, respiratory disease, diabetes, accidents and violence, sexually transmitted infections, HIV/Aids, mental illness, back/spine problems, cancer, substance abuse, smoking, chronic renal disease and arthritis.
In 2005 circulatory disease accounted for 36 per cent of all deaths, cancers accounted for 25 per cent, accidents and violence accounted for seven per cent of all deaths and diabetes accounted for 6.8 per cent of deaths.
As for the island’s number one health issue — being overweight and obese — Dr. Attride-Stirling said 63 per cent of the population was in this group, and even more shocking was that 36 per cent of all children aged five to ten were now considered overweight or obese.
Over the last century Bermudians have experienced a change in dietary habits, which now include more energy-dense, nutrient-poor foods with high levels of sugar and saturated fats.
Dr. Attride-Stirling added that Bermudians were also less active than they were before the introduction of motorised transport, technology in the home and more passive leisure activities.
“It is paramount that the increase in overweight and obesity be halted as a matter of urgency, and eventually reversed. The benefits of consuming a healthy diet and engaging in moderate levels of physical activity on a regular basis can reduce your risk of developing heart disease, diabetes and some cancers,” she said.
Dr. Attride-Stirling said that while strengthening knowledge and skills of individuals was essential, substantive changes required that action also be directed towards changing social, environmental and economic conditions to alleviate their impact on health.
“Well Bermuda”, or the National Health Promotion Strategy, has been organised around three themes: healthy people, healthy families and healthy communities.
She explained that they were developed on the basis of the health priorities identified in 2004 and include the country’s health problems that require the most urgent attention due to their current severity.
“Overall, the themes aim to focus on health and health promotion, rather than diseases or problem,” she added.
“Therefore grouping obesity, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, cancer, chronic renal disease and sexually transmitted infections, under the single theme ‘healthy people’ offers the opportunity for a positive reframe of these problems and encourages us to focus on solutions.”
Promoting health of the island
