Nearly two thirds of residents are unhappy with Bermuda’s health system, according to a survey of the Island’s health trends.A total of 61 percent of people want fundamental changes to make the system work better and 12 percent believe an overhaul is needed.Only 18 percent of people feel the healthcare system is working pretty well with only minor changes needed an eight point decline from 26 percent in 2005.Residents’ satisfaction with the state of the healthcare system and the Government’s efforts to promote health and wellness in Bermuda has also declined.Only 58 percent now believe in what Government is doing a decline from 65 percent in 2005. The Mindmaps phone study, commissioned by the Bermuda Health Council and Ministry of Health, examined the health and attitudes to healthcare of 801 adults.Health Minister Zane DeSilva revealed the findings of the ‘Health Survey of Adults in Bermuda 2011’ at a press conference yesterday.He said an up-to-date health survey was “essential” and he would be using the findings to direct policy changes and plan future health reforms.A total of 85 percent of people rated their overall health as excellent, good or very good a slight decline from 88 percent in 2006. Less people said they were very satisfied or satisfied with their life in general 87 percent compared to 96 percent in 2006.A total of 67 percent of adults were overweight or obese, which has risen from 64 percent in 2006. Mr DeSilva called this “an increase we did not need”. Men were more likely to be overweight than women and those aged 55 to 64 were the most overweight age group.As a result, high blood pressure rose ten points, from 25 percent in 2006 to 36 percent this year. More people also described themselves as having a disability that limited everyday activities 14 percent compared to 11 percent in 2006.The survey found a deterioration in several areas of healthcare, including the “shocking statistic” that one in three people have been physically abused in the past year 23 percent in 2006, compared to 30 percent in 2011. Women over 40 opting for mammogram screenings in the last two years tumbled from 95 percent in 2006 to 86 percent in 2011.Fewer men over 40 have been for prostate exams in the past two years, from 93 percent in 2006 to 86 percent in 2011. HIV testing has also declined with 44 percent having been tested compared to 49 percent five years ago.This was highlighted as “worrying” as those reporting more than one sexual partner in the past year leaped 17 points from six percent to 23 percent in just five years. Mr DeSilva said he would be immediately tackling the “disturbing trend” of multiple sexual partners as people were putting themselves at risk of spreading sexually transmitted infections and exposure to HIV. A total of 26 percent were 15 years old or younger when they first had sex, but more people were using condoms 31 percent compared to 17 percent in 2006.Binge drinking is also on the rise, increasing 12 points from 24 percent in 2006 to 36 percent in 2011. The heaviest drinkers were men, those aged 18 to 34 and Asian and other races.Mr DeSilva congratulated the people of Bermuda for improving their health as the study showed positive results in some healthy habits. Bermuda still has 13 percent of smokers, but regular exposure to second hand smoke has also decreased from 40 percent to 25 percent. This reduction was put down to the 2005 ban on smoking in enclosed public places.Mr DeSilva said “our message has clearly been heard” as more people were washing their hands to prevent disease; rising from 57 percent of the population in 2006 to 71 percent in 2011.There was also a 20 point jump in the percentage of people doing regular moderate physical exercise for 30 minutes; from 65 percent five years ago to 85 percent this year.Improved eating habits among the population were noted with 66 percent of people (compared to 71 percent in 2006) eating fast food at least once a week. Those eating fast food tended to be 18 to 34 year-olds and those in single parent households. A total of 73 percent consumed one or more servings of fruit per day and 19 percent at least three servings of vegetables per day from 76 percent and 17 percent in 2006.Mr DeSilva said: “Despite eating a little less junk, and moving a little bit more, it is still not enough. We continue to consume more calories than we burn, and until we turn this around, our waistlines will keep getting bigger. We need to stop. And we need to stop desperately”.There was also a jump in the number of people watching two or more hours of television per day an increase from 72 to 83 percent. However, the survey also showed how the spread of many chronic diseases had remained about the same as 2006.A total of 34 percent have high blood cholesterol, the same as five years ago. Nine percent had asthma in 2006, compared to ten percent in 2011 with most sufferers likely to be Asian or other races (15 percent).The spread of diabetes decreased slightly from 13 percent in 2006 to 11 percent in 2011, with sufferers more likely to be women, aged 65 plus with secondary or lower education.And cardiovascular disease sufferers jumped from three percent of people in 2006 to five percent in 2011. Mr DeSilva even though chronic diseases remained steady since 2006, he said: “These figures don’t reflect well on our people’s health. The incidence of these conditions is too high, Bermuda; and we must do more as a community to address these”.To see the report visit www.bhec.bm or the Department of Health at www.gov.bm.