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Global Stroke Action Coalition
Working together to drive bold and urgent action on stroke.
The Global Stroke Action Coalition was convened by WSO to provide a collaborative and strategic alliance to drive action on stroke through coordinated policy advocacy activities. Coalition members represent scientific, patient and industry sectors, together we aim to drive policy maker awareness of key issues in stroke. Together we work to highlight key opportunities to reduce the global burden of stroke through cost-effective, evidence-based interventions across the care pathway that can contribute to the achievement of global health and development goals.
The Coalition vision is reduced impact of stroke for everyone, everywhere through bold and urgent policy action. Our shared mission is to drive urgent commitment, investment and action in stroke prevention, treatment and continuing care.
Why stroke?
Stroke is a leading cause of death and disability, but it is one that is often overlooked.
- Stroke is the second leading cause of death worldwide, and the third leading cause of disability
- 1 in 4 people will suffer a stroke in their lifetime
- Every year there are 12 million new strokes and 7 million stroke-related deaths.
- 2 out of 3 stroke survivors are affected by long-term disabilities.
- 94 million people are living with the effects of stroke worldwide
- 1 in 5 will have a recurrent stroke within 5 years.
- These aren’t just elderly populations. 15% of people have a stroke before the age of 50.
- As these numbers show, stroke is a major global health challenge that affects people across different age groups and in every corner of the world, with individual and societal impact.
- The difficulty is that burden and impact of stroke is often misunderstood, and its impact overshadowed by a broader focus on CVD and non-communicable diseases (NCDs).
- As a result, efforts to address stroke are often incorporated into broader NCD strategies.
- Few countries have developed a dedicated National Stroke Action Plan or allocated the necessary resources for its implementation.
- Major gaps and disparities exist in and across borders when it comes to accessing preventive, treatment and rehabilitative services for stroke.
Reducing the human and economic cost of stroke
Stroke has a devastating human and economic impact. Numbers are rising and recurrence rates remain too high.
If we do not act on stroke:
- the number of lives lost is set to increase from 7 to 9.7 million by 2050 (50%).
- disability-adjusted life years are expected to increase from 144.8 to 189.4 million (31%).
- the proportion of global stroke deaths in LMICs will rise from 86% to 91%.
Stroke affects not only individuals, but also their families and communities.
- Many family members take on the role of “carer” for stroke survivors.
- The cost of treatment and rehabilitative care and lost income can push many into poverty.
- Increased incidence in younger people impacts the care and well-being of their children.
- The broader economic impact also needs to be recognised, with stroke affecting workforce and broader economic productivity.
- In 2017, healthcare expenses associated with stroke were estimated to be as high as $315 billion with an additional loss in income of $576 billion: $891 billion in total (0.66% of the global GDP).
- If left unchecked, this cost is expected to rise to almost double by 2050.
Our Call to Action
The moment has come to revolutionize stroke prevention, treatment, and post-stroke care. We have the power to make change happen.
- Recent advancements (in prevention, treatment and rehabilitation) equip us with the tools needed to help reduce the global stroke burden and improve the health outcomes and independence of stroke survivors.
- This progress will, in turn, lead to improvement in managing NCDs more broadly, and promoting health for all.
- With the upcoming UN High-Level Meeting on NCDs, we have a unique opportunity to act.
Coalition Membership
Current members
Society Partners: Asia Pacific Stroke Organization, American Stroke Association, European Stroke Association, Heart & Stroke Foundation South Africa, March of Dimes, Stroke Association UK, SVIN, World Stroke Organization.
Industry Partners: Angels Initiative, Bayer, Ipsen, Philips, Medtronic.
If your organization is interested in joining the Coalition please email admin@world-stroke.org.
For the latest Coalition updates follow WSO social media accounts. Join the conversation using #StrokeActionNow
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