An initiative to survey the Island’s chronic disease risk has seen nearly 60 people trained as interviewers and sent out into the field.

Health Minister Patricia Gordon-Pamplin told MPs the team would be joined by 30 healthcare professionals to test residents for health indicators such as blood sugar and cholesterol.

The survey of more than 2,600 households, known as STEPS to a Well Bermuda, is now underway, and will enable the Island’s health system to address chronic illness such as hypertension, heart disease, and diabetes in particular.

“Self-reported surveys conducted in the past estimated the prevalence of diabetes in Bermuda to be the highest of all 30 OECD countries,” Ms Gordon-Pamplin told the House of Assembly, adding that in 2011 Bermuda was noted to have a diabetes prevalence more than twice the OECD average.

“Yet as concerning as this fact is, we may find out that many more than the reported 13 percent of adults actually have diabetes or are at risk for developing it,” the Minister said.

As well as furnishing health officials with a clearer picture of the Island’s levels of chronic disease, the survey gives participants a free screening that can be shared with their personal healthcare provider, she said.