Addressing the stroke evidence-treatment gap

[Extract] Globally, stroke is one of the world’s largest contributors to mortality, and a leading cause of long-term disability. Yet, this remains an area of healthcare that continues to receive little attention through the media. A quick Google search for stroke-related news coverage will not reveal much information in comparison to other chronic diseases or cancers. While there is a focused global movement to raise awareness of stroke within the community, there is urgent need for vital stroke funding to improve gaps in evidence-based stroke care. We are faced with a public health crisis. Stroke kills more women than breast cancer and more men than prostate cancer, and is recognised as a major health priority internationally. Stroke does not discriminate, two-thirds of strokes impact older men and women with one-third of all stroke impacting people of working age, under the age of 65. Stroke will affect one in every six people in their lifetime. Further, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are up to three times more likely to have a stroke than non-indigenous Australian’s, and twice as likely to die from stroke than non-indigenous Australian’s (Thrift & Hayman, 2007).

This is an editorial.