Published online before print September 10, 2009, doi: 10.1161/STROKEAHA.109.565655
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(Stroke. 2009;40:3165.)
© 2009 American Heart Association, Inc.
Editorial |
World Stroke Day 2009
What Can I Do?
From the University of Western Ontario, Department of Clinical Neurological Sciences, London Health Sciences Center, London, Ontario, Canada.
Correspondence to Vladimir Hachinski, University of Western Ontario, Department of Clinical Neurological Sciences, London Health Sciences Center, 339 Windermere Road, London, Ontario N6A 5A5, Canada. E-mail stroke{at}lhsc.on.ca
Key Words: stroke management
Half of all premature deaths and disability (DALYs) in the world attributable to disease of the nervous system result from stroke.1 This will only get worse2 unless something is done about it.
But What Can I Do?
The predisposing factors for stroke are well known but poorly controlled. A commitment to find out one’s risk for stroke and to follow through on its management could cut the risk by one third for men, one half for women, and one half for ischemic stroke for both men and women.3
If I can identify and manage my stroke risk, it almost certainly will influence my family and friends for the better. Behavior is contagious.
I can be a role model, but I can also play other roles. If I am a health professional, I can commit to the premise that the important questions in stroke are those answers that matter most to patients and that everything I do can be improved. If I measure what I do, then implement a change and evaluate the results, I am doing research that matters to patients regardless of the medium or the method.4
As a member of my community, I can encourage healthier lifestyles and help provide the physical and psychological environment that facilitates them.
As a voter, I can influence policy for the better.
As a volunteer, I can help individuals and communities.
As a donor, I can facilitate the work of others.
I can help in as many roles as my imagination, time, and resources allow.
A brochure on the World Stroke Day’s theme, "What Can I Do?," is available online as well as examples of past and planned activities on the web site of the World Stroke Organization: www.world-stroke.org.
World Stroke Day is a day designated for each of us to confirm our commitment to implement a World Stroke Agenda,5 not just today, but everyday.
Acknowledgments
Disclosures
None.
Received August 14, 2009; accepted August 14, 2009.
References
1. World Health Organization Neurological Disorders: Public Health Challenges. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2006: 33, Fig 2.2.
2. Mathers CD, Loncar D. Projections of global mortality and burden of disease from 2002 to 2030. PLoS Med. 2006; 3: 442.[CrossRef]
3. Chiuve SE, Rexrode KM, Spiegelman D, Logroscino G, Manson JE, Rimm EB. Primary prevention of stroke by healthy lifestyle. Circulation. 2008; 118: 947–954.
4. Hachinski V. The 2005 Thomas Willis Lecture. Stroke and vascular cognitive impairment. A transdisciplinary, translational and transactional approach. Stroke. 2007; 38: 1396–1403.
5. Hachinski V. World Stroke Day proclamation. Stroke. 2008; 39: 2409–2420.
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