Announcement: World Stroke Day — October 29, 2015

On October 29, 2015, for World Stroke Day, the World Stroke Organization will continue its global campaign around women and stroke. More women than men die from stroke each year (1). Stroke is the second leading cause of death in persons aged greater than 60 years and the third leading cause of disability-adjusted life years (years of life lost because of disability or early death) worldwide (2,3). In the United States, more than 795,000 persons have a stroke each year and approximately 75,000 women die from stroke annually (4). Stroke is a primary cause of serious long-term disability (1). High blood pressure is the leading risk factor for stroke (1).

CDC is working to promote stroke awareness and prevention through efforts that include the Paul Coverdell National Acute Stroke Program (PCNASP), WISEWOMAN, and the Million Hearts initiative. The PCNASP funds nine states to measure, track, and improve the quality of stroke care.* The WISEWOMAN program provides screening for heart disease and stroke risk factors and lifestyle programs for low-income, uninsured, or underinsured women in 21 states and tribal organizations.† Million Hearts, which is co-led by CDC and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, aims to prevent 1 million heart attacks and strokes by 2017.§

CDC recommends that everyone know the signs and symptoms of stroke and call 9-1-1 immediately if they or someone else might be having a stroke. Access to fast treatment is vital. Engaging in healthy lifestyle behaviors such as exercising, consuming more fruits and vegetables and less sodium, and avoiding smoking might reduce the risk for experiencing a stroke. Also, regularly checking and controlling blood pressure can reduce the risk for stroke.

Additional information on World Stroke Day is available at http://www.worldstrokecampaign.org/get-involved/world-stroke-day-2015.html. Additional information regarding CDC's efforts to address stroke is available at http://www.cdc.gov/stroke/cdc_addresses.htm.

References

1. Go AS, Mozaffarian D, Roger VL, et al. Executive summary: heart disease and stroke statistics—2014 update: a report from the American Heart Association. Circulation 2014;129:399–410.
2. Lozano R, Naghavi M, Foreman K, et al. Global and regional mortality from 235 causes of death for 20 age groups in 1990 and 2010: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2010. Lancet 2012;380:2095–128.
3. Murray CJ, Vos T, Lozano R, et al. Disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) for 291 diseases and injuries in 21 regions, 1990–2010: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2010. Lancet 2012;380:2197–223.
4. CDC. Prevalence of stroke—United States, 2006–2010. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2012;61:379–82.