“HOW HEALTHY IS THE WORKFORCE AT THE FSM NATIONAL GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND SOCIAL AFFAIRS”
Press release #0509-62
Palikir, Pohnpei – FSM Information Services
May 27, 2009
NCD and Lifestyle Unit, Department of Health and Social Affairs

The health status of the employees of the Department of Health and Social Affairs was assessed using the WHO STEP-WISE Approach in a mini STEP-Survey on March 19, 2009. Through this exercise, the results of this mini STEP-Survey indicated that:

1. Out of the current workforce, 3 people are current smokers
2. 61% are current alcohol drinkers
3. 44% are current sakau drinkers
4. 53% don’t eat the recommended daily servings of fruits and vegetable
5. 100% of the workforce sit most of the time
6. 75% take taxi or drive to work
7. 20% are overweight
8. 55% are obese
9. 5% have high blood pressure
10. 20% have high total blood cholesterol
11. 25% are having diabetes and
12. 10% have low hemoglobin level or are having iron deficiency

A schedule for conducting this same mini STEP-Survey for the other FSM departments/offices will be provided at a later date to each department and office through a memorandum or through this medium upon endorsement from the President’s office.

For more information please conduct the Department of Health and Social Affairs at tel.#320-2643.