Introduction to Special Series on Stroke: World Stroke Day, Women & Stroke, and the Stroke Comeback Center

Today, Disruptive Women in Health Care begins a special week-long series to raise awareness of stroke in recognition of World Stroke Day, providing opinion and actionable information, and joining in the celebration of 10 successful years of the Stroke Comeback Center in Vienna, VA.
October 29, 2014 is World Stroke Day and the launch of a 2-year, world-wide campaign, I am woman: Stroke affects me, sponsored by the World Stroke Organization (WSO) and supported by national organizations like the American Stroke Association (ASA).  Women have a higher risk of stroke than men, a higher mortality rate from stroke than men, have worse outcomes from stroke than men, and often receive less care than men, despite responding equally well to care, according to the WSO.  Women are the predominant caregivers, often resulting in health issues that then may increase their own risk of stroke.
Each year, 15 million people worldwide suffer a stroke. In the U.S., about 790,000 Americans suffer a new or recurrent stroke. Stroke is the 4th leading cause of death, and a leading cause of disability.  The ASA estimated that Americans will pay about $73.7 billion in 2010 for stroke-related medical costs and disability.
Every 40 seconds, someone in the U.S. suffers a stroke, yet despite these numbers, stroke awareness is somewhat limited, it seems, until it happens to you or your immediate family.  Stroke can occur suddenly at any age, among every race and class, men and women.
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Source: Disruptive Women in Health Care - October 23, 2014 Category: Consumer Health News Authors: dw at disruptivewomen.net Tags: Advocacy Women's Health Source Type: blogs