World Stroke Day Message from the President

26 Oct 2021

On World Stroke Day WSO President Marc Fisher highlights the urgent need for action to ensure access to stroke care for all

On orld Stroke Day WSO is focused on raising awareness of stroke symptoms and the need to save #Precioustime when it comes to stroke. It is an important message.

Stroke remains the second-biggest killer worldwide and the third biggest cause of disability. This year alone 14.5 million people will have a stroke and 5.5 million will die as a result. There are around 80 million stroke survivors in the world today, many of whom live with severe disability. These numbers are growing, by 2050 if the current rate continues around 200 million people will be living with the impact of stroke.

When it comes to stroke, clearly there’s no time to waste. For individuals, every minute - from onset to treatment - contributes to a loss of brain function and increases the probability of long-term impairment, disability and death. For society, every year that goes by without action ramps up the social and economic impact of stroke. Public awareness of the signs of stroke and the need for emergency medical treatment is proven to get stroke patients to medical treatment faster. Specialist treatment within a 60-minute window is provento improve the chance that patients walk out of the hospital door.

Globally however, a recent survey of stroke service around the world found that just one in three people has access to essential stroke care. And while stroke unit care is available in almost all high-income countries, fewer than 1 in five low-income countries can offer even basic stroke care to their populations. This is sadly reflected in levels of death, disability which are four times higher for people in low income countries than they are for those in high income countries.

Improving outcomes and ensuring more equitable access to stroke care requires effort on all fronts, from public awareness, to government policy and industry partnership to widen access to game-changing treatment. As we recover from a global pandemic, it could feel like a massive task, but if we come together today and show commitment and strong leadership within our communities and with colleagues around the world we know it is possible to create a world free from stroke.

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