World Stroke Day is observed on October 29 to underscore the serious nature and high rates of stroke, raise awareness of the prevention and treatment of the condition, and ensure better care and support for survivors. On this day, organizations around the world facilitate events emphasizing education, testing, and initiatives to improve the damaging effects of stroke worldwide.
The focus of the campaign this year is stroke risk and prevention. The latest analysis of the Global Burden of Disease shows that the lifetime risk of stroke for over-25s has increased and now stands at 1 in 4. The urgent need for action at individual and population level is only matched by the incredible potential for a huge reduction in stroke. While our efforts on World Stroke Day are largely directed towards raising public awareness of the steps we can all take to reduce our risk, the 2019 campaign is a key component of WSO’s strategic commitment to ‘Cut Stroke in Half’. You can read more about how the campaign and the wider initiative are linked in this Lancet editorial.
