Death rates from heart disease and cancer are unacceptably high while prostate, colon and rectal related cancers had increased according to Health Minister Nelson Bascome.

However, Bermuda mostly enjoyed good health with life expectancy continuing to improve, infant mortality declining and immunisation rates remaining at a high level.

However death on the road is a major hazard for teens said Mr. Bascome as he released the results of the Teen Wellness Profile 2001 to the House of Assembly on Friday.

He said: "Motor Vehicle accidents remain a significant public health problem. Accidents are a major cause of death in the 15 to 19-year-olds.

"While we have seen a decline in the number of new AIDS cases reported on an annual basis, HIV/AIDS remains a major public health problem."

He said around half of all deaths were from preventable health problems such as smoking, improper diet, lack of exercise, drinking, unsafe sexual behaviour, road accidents and drug use.

The survey, which polled 3,400 middle and high school students during the 2000-2001 school year, found teens needed to get more sleep, eat more healthily, exercise more and increase road safety by using seat belts and helmets and avoid drink driving or travelling with those under the influence.

The Health Minister promised to promote a healthy lifestyle to improve future results.

The survey also found teens were stressed with 41 percent claiming to have experienced a recent personal crisis, 24 percent saying they were unable to cope with life, 17 percent feeling worthless and unimportant most of the time and eight percent saying they had seriously considered suicide in the past year. Mr. Bascome said there was a need to help teens cope with stress and emotions.

Students in the survey got personalised results highlighting strengths and weaknesses and giving tips on improving health while principals, counsellors and health teachers were given broad recommendations.

Information has been passed to the National Drug Commission, the Road Safety Council and school groups to help formulate policy.

What the survey found

29 percent of teens are exposed to drug users.

18 percent admitted drink driving or sharing a lift with somebody under the influence

83 percent don't always use a seat belt

31 percent skip breakfast regularly

27 percent get little or no daily physical activity

16 percent watch five or more hours of TV each day