The Minister of Health, the Hon. Dr. Duane Sands today announced the initial findings of the 2019 STEPS survey and the results confirm that The Bahamas is an unhealthy nation.  Our risk for premature deaths, disabilities and health complications due to non-communicable diseases (NCD’s) remains high.  Although our physical activity levels have improved our eating habits, beverage and lifestyle choices continue to keep us ranked as one of the heaviest and unhealthiest nations.  The Minister of Health urged the Bahamian people to along with the Ministry of Health have a collective responsibility for actively changing those habits and practices that are contributing to the rapid and costly health demise of our population.

In conjunction with the Pan American Health Organization the STEPS data was collected from January to April 2019.  3,840 Bahamians ages 18-69 on the islands of Abaco, Cat Island, Eleuthera, Exuma, Grand Bahama, Inagua and New Providence voluntarily participated in the survey.  Enumerators conducted the 3 components of STEPS: STEP 1, complete the survey questionnaire; STEP 2, take simple body measurements; STEP 3, collect a urine sample and a blood sample to test for fats and sugars.

The results revealed on average each of us everyday consumes more than double the recommended 2 grams of salt.  60% of us add 2 or more spoons of sugar to our tea and coffee.  92% of Bahamians drink an average of 2 cans of a sugary beverage every single day.  The average Bahamian consumes 64 pounds of added sugar a year.  Less than 50% of Bahamians drink the recommended 8 glasses or more of water each day.  The vast majority of the population eats less than 3 servings of fruits and vegetables each day.  71.6% of Bahamians are overweight and over country doubles the global prevalence, which is at 39%.  1 in 12 Bahamians over the age of 40 will have a stroke or heart attack in the next ten years.  Bahamian women have an increased risk of having a heart attack.  47% of the population has high blood pressure and 38% are unaware that they have high blood pressure.  There is a 26% increase in the population of diabetes.  The amount of Bahamians that have high cholesterol, drink alcohol and smoke has increased. Only 30% of Bahamians visited the dentist in the last year.  33% of women have never been screened for cervical cancer.  12.1% of the population has had an STI.  65% did not use a condom and 49% were not on the pill or shot during their last intercourse.  13.1% experienced a sex act against his/her will. 

Given the results of STEPS 2109, The Ministry of Health will continue with and expand upon the initiatives that are outlined in the Wellness In the Nation 2017-2022 Plan.  The strategies in the plan engage the Government, the community, health services, research and evaluation mechanisms all targeted at changing the health and wellness in our nation.  The Ministry of Health will continue to declare war on NCD’s and provide the Bahamian people with the education, programmes and interventions necessary to successful win this battle.

Download the Preliminary Fact Sheet by clicking here

STEPS Fact Sheet, Flyer & Promotional Video
January 14th, 2019

Download the Facts Sheet by clicking the link below:

• STEPS Fact Sheet