Health: A 'state of the nation' report
Bermuda's first Health Review was released today comparing the state of the Island's health care to 29 other countries around the world.Health Minister Zane DeSilva and Bermuda Health Council head Jennifer Attride Stirling said it would help both organisations monitor and improve the Island's health care system.The report stated Bermuda has one of the highest rates of amputations as a result of diabetes, one of the lowest daily smoking rates and a decrease in the number of people dying from cancer.The report compares Bermuda's performance to other high-income countries that are members of the Organisation of Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). In total statistics from 29 countries, such as the UK, Greece, Japan and Australia are outlined in the report.Dr Attride Stirling said: “The publication will also be an asset to healthcare partners and stakeholders in providing benchmarks and comparisons for Bermuda never seen before on this scale.”She added it was important to collect and collate the data on all components of health and to document trends in order to improve the Island's health care system.The report found- Overall cancer mortality has decreased, particularly in lung and breast cancer.- Bermuda has the highest mortality rate for prostate cancer out of 29 OECD countries.- Bermuda has the highest rate of road deaths.- Bermuda's mortality rate for stroke was on par with the average OECD figure- The mortality rate for ischemic heart disease, which restricts blood flow to the heart, was the highest.- Daily smoking rates are the lowest in OECD- Alcohol and marijuana use has increased among teens- There have been increases in low birth weight, infant mortality and under-five mortality but maternal deaths remain rare.- Suicide rates remain low- 90 percent of residents visit the doctor at least once a yearThe report compares the number of patients per 100,000 population in the OECD countries.At a press conference this afternoon Mr DeSilva said: "This unique report provides a detailed snapshot of health and healthcare in Bermuda, showing local trends as well as comparing Bermuda to other high-income countries."Health in Review is the first report of its kind in Bermuda and represents a significant milestone in Bermuda's healthcare system."It presents trend data on 76 indicators of healthcare quality. And I want to highlight that this is the first time such a wide range of indicators have been presented for public dissemination."The purpose of this report is to enable more informed debates on healthcare; to enable evidence-based policy decision making by Government and other health system stakeholders; and, finally, to enable the Ministry of Health to identify areas where our health system needs improving, and what strengths we can build on."For more on the OECD go to www.oecd.orgFor the full report go to http://www.gov.bm/portal/server.pt?cached=true&in_hi_userid=2&mode=2&objID=504&open=512
The Health Review outlines an overall decline in cancer mortality rates between 2000 and 2007 and shows that Bermuda has the eighth lowest cancer mortality rate out of the 29 OECD countries. In 2006, the latest year available, there were 192 cancer mortalities in Bermuda compared to the OECD average of 212 per 100,0000 population.
The US reported 191 cancer deaths per 100,000 population while the UK reported 208.
In terms of types of cancer, the report said Bermuda:
* Has the highest rate of prostate cancer mortality with 37 deaths per 100,000 people. The OECD average is 22.8. The US has 18.1 deaths while the UK has 24.4 deaths per 100,000 people.
* Has one of the higher rates of deaths from lung cancer with 70 people per 100,000 dying from the disease. The OECD average is 55 while the US reported 61 and the UK reported 51. Only Hungry, Poland and Slovak Republic reported higher lung cancer deaths per 100,000 people.
* Has one of the lowest colorectal cancer mortalities per 100,000 people in the OECD. Only Greece and Mexico have a lower rate of deaths.
* Has one of the highest rates of cervical cancer screening with 80 percent of females aged 20 to 69 having being screened. Only the US has a higher rate with 83.5 percent, the OECD average was 64 percent.
