At this time of the year, New Year’s Resolutions of healthier eating, weight loss and commitment to engaging in more physical activity are being made across the island. As these promises are being made the Ministry of Health and Social Development, collaborating with the Anguilla Statistics Department, is preparing to implement the World Health Organisation STEPwise approach to Surveillance (STEPS). STEPS is a population survey designed to obtain data on risk factors associated with chronic non- communicable diseases. This initiative is being supported by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA).
The Ministry of Health will be conducting STEPS from April to July this year. A sample of households will be randomly selected to take part in the survey. All information will be used to help develop programmes to combat the chronic disease epidemic and improve prevention and treatment programmes in our communities.
Chronic non -communicable diseases (CNCDs) are the leading cause of mortality in the world, representing 60% of all deaths. Our region and by extension Anguilla is no exception as we continue to see an increase in the disease burden of chronic non- communicable diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and cancer. In 2014 chronic non-communicable diseases accounted for over 60% of deaths in Anguilla. Between 2014 and 2015, the numbers of clients on dialysis at the Princess Alexandra Hospital increased from 20 to 23 representing a 13% rise. The result is a growing socioeconomic burden, in addition to the loss of productive years for those who are affected by these conditions.
Evidence suggests that chronic non-communicable diseases are lifestyle-related, and linked by common risk factors which include unhealthy food, smoking tobacco, excessive alcohol consumption and physical inactivity. It is prudent that the Ministry of Health determines the prevalence of these risk factors for public health planning, public policy changes and to enable development of targeted programmes and interventions to address CNCDs. The information that will be gathered from the STEPS survey will inform spending which will allow the Ministry of Health to budget more efficiently and to monitor and evaluate outcomes of investment in the area of CNCDs.
Over the coming months you will be hearing much more information about STEPS and how you can support the Ministry of Health to move towards a healthier Anguilla.
– Contributed
