Log In

Reset Password
BERMUDA | RSS PODCAST

Participants needed for health survey

Kim Wilson, the Minister of Health, encouraged households to participate in a survey (Photograph by Akil Simmons)

Kim Wilson, the Minister of Health, has highlighted the importance of taking part in a survey assessing the island’s wellbeing.

The minister said the Steps to a Well Bermuda survey, conducted by the Ministry of Health and the Pan American Health Organisation, “will give us a clearer picture of our population’s overall health and the prevalence of non-communicable diseases”.

Ms Wilson added that residents chosen to participate in the survey will help “build a solid foundation for addressing key health issues, such as diabetes, heart disease and certain cancers” and shape approaches to prevention and care.

Physician Annabel Fountain, who specialises in diabetes, endocrinology and internal medicine, explained: “Since the first Steps survey was completed in 2014, the Government of Bermuda introduced the sugar tax.

“We hope that this, along with the other initiatives such as the healthy schools programme and the Bermuda Diabetes Association’s diabetes reversal and diabetes prevention programmes, will have contributed to reduced rates of obesity and diabetes in our population.

“The only way to know is to do these population health surveys regularly.”

Lori Rockhead, executive director of the BDA, said: “Every response provides vital information that contributes to social policies and health services for everyone.

“It’s important that the voices of people living with diabetes are heard and understood in a way, which can lead to better health for all.”

One adult in each chosen household will have their blood pressure, height, weight and waist circumference measured after completing a health questionnaire as part of the survey.

They will then have their fasting blood glucose and cholesterol levels measured through finger stick samples.

All information collected is confidential and anonymous, but participants can share their results with healthcare providers.

A chosen household cannot be replaced in the survey if no one from the family participates.

• Visit gov.bm/steps-bermudaor contact steps@gov.bm or 278-4900 for more information about the survey

You must be Registered or to post comment or to vote.

Published November 04, 2024 at 4:59 pm (Updated November 04, 2024 at 4:59 pm)

Participants needed for health survey

What you
Need to
Know
1. For a smooth experience with our commenting system we recommend that you use Internet Explorer 10 or higher, Firefox or Chrome Browsers. Additionally please clear both your browser's cache and cookies - How do I clear my cache and cookies?
2. Please respect the use of this community forum and its users.
3. Any poster that insults, threatens or verbally abuses another member, uses defamatory language, or deliberately disrupts discussions will be banned.
4. Users who violate the Terms of Service or any commenting rules will be banned.
5. Please stay on topic. "Trolling" to incite emotional responses and disrupt conversations will be deleted.
6. To understand further what is and isn't allowed and the actions we may take, please read our Terms of Service
7. To report breaches of the Terms of Service use the flag icon