CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE

• Excess salt intake increases the risk of heart attack, stroke and other health problems.

• The STEPS 2019 data revealed that forty-seven percent (47%) of men had a history of at least one NCD, compared to 43% of women.

• Men are more likely than women to having a fatal or non-fatal cardiovascular event (heart attack or stroke).

Alcohol Misuse

• STEPS 2019 revealed that a sizeable share (44%) of the population engages in the use of alcohol to the point of being harmful to health and well-being.

• Women were two times more likely to engage in the harmful use of alcohol, while men were more likely to engage in heavy episodic drinking.

• 44.1% of current drinkers consume alcohol to a point where it is considered harmful.

• 18% of drinkers meet the definition of a heavy episodic drinker (they drink at least 5 drinks per occasion at least monthly).

• Between 2017 and 2018, fatal road traffic accidents (RTAs) in The Bahamas rose by 29%.