Suriname has officially launched the 2026 WHO STEPwise Approach to Noncommunicable Disease Risk Factor Surveillance (STEPS) Survey, marking the country's first nationwide assessment of chronic disease risk factors since 2013. The initiative is led by the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Labor in collaboration with the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). It will gather updated information on more than 14 key health topics, including hypertension, diabetes, obesity, tobacco and alcohol use, physical activity and mental health.

A team of trained field workers will conduct interviews and health measurements across the country, providing policymakers with reliable national data to guide future healthcare investments and prevention programs. Health officials say the survey will support evidence-based decision-making and help strengthen services aimed at reducing the growing burden of noncommunicable diseases, which remain a leading cause of illness in Suriname.

Public health experts believe the updated findings will play an important role in improving long-term healthcare planning, promoting healthier lifestyles and enhancing disease prevention strategies. The survey is expected to provide a clearer picture of the nation's health challenges while supporting more targeted public health initiatives in the years ahead.