Fiji has strengthened its response to noncommunicable diseases with the launch of its latest national STEPS Survey1, a people-centred effort to turn health data into practical action. The survey provides an updated national picture of key health risks, including high blood pressure, unhealthy salt intake, insufficient fruit and vegetable consumption and tobacco use:
- High blood pressure: more than one in three adults (37%) has hypertension. While nearly half know they have the condition, only 22% reported taking medication and just 7% had their blood pressure effectively controlled. This gap between diagnosis and effective management presents a serious public health challenge.
- Salt intake: Urine analysis showed people across all age groups consume approximately 10 grams of salt per day, almost double the recommended amount, substantially elevating the risk of high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease-related death. Only one in six individuals (16%) reported avoiding added salt or limiting the consumption of salty processed products.
- Fruit and vegetable intake: just 11% of the population meets the recommended intake of five or more servings of fruit and vegetables per day. One in five adults (21%) consume three to four servings of fruit and vegetables per day, while more than half of the population (52%) consume just one to two servings. Alarmingly, 16% report eating no fruit or vegetables on a typical day. Fruit and vegetables provide key nutrients such as potassium, which contribute to lowering blood pressure and cardiovascular diseases
- Tobacco use: more than one in three adults (36%) currently use tobacco, either daily or occasionally.
These findings reflect the lived experiences of Fijians and provide a strong foundation for evidence-based policies and programs shaped by national priorities.
At the launch, national leaders reaffirmed a renewed commitment to act on evidence to strengthen Fiji's health system. The STEPS data will help guide decisions on prevention, primary care, and regulations that protect public health, supporting action where people live, learn, and work.
The George Institute for Global Health supported Fiji's Ministry of Health and Medical Services throughout the survey process. Dr Bindu Patel and her team contributed technical expertise across design, implementation, analysis, and reporting writing working in close partnership with national colleagues, regional partners and upholding strong ethical standards.
"This survey is about Fiji, for Fiji," said Dr Patel. "When used well, the data empowers better decisions, smarter investments, and stronger health systems that can prevent disease before it starts and make life better for people already living with noncommunicable diseases.
By:Dr Bindu Patel
Senior Research Fellow at The George Institute, Australia
The findings will also inform ongoing work in Fiji, including national efforts supported through The George Institute's DFAT-funded RESist-NCD program2 and health-promoting schools initiatives.3 Working alongside Fijian partners such as the Ministry of Health and Medical Services, Fiji National University and the Consumer Council of Fiji, these programs support healthier food environments, health systems strengthening and stronger prevention policies. This includes exploring the feasibility of scaling up the availability and affordability of potassium-enriched iodised salt, which provides a dual benefit of lowering sodium while increasing potassium both important for reducing blood pressure. The new STEPS data will help sharpen these shared efforts and guide next steps together.
By putting communities and evidence at the centre of decision-making, Fiji's latest survey supports practical policies and programs that can improve and protect the health of Fijians.
References
[1] Country report Fiji 2025 STEPS Survey
[2] New partnership to help address burden of diabetes and hypertension in Asia-Pacific
[3] Evaluating the impact, investment case and scale-up of 'Health Promoting Schools' in Fiji
