THURSDAY, May 19, 2005 (HealthDay News) -- Racial and regional disparities in stroke prevalence and stroke-related death persist in the United States, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
What's more, black Americans have higher stroke death rates, and blacks and other people living in the Southeastern United States are more likely to suffer a stroke.
Those findings are contained in two studies published by researchers in the May 20 issue of the CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
The first study found that the years of potential life lost due to stroke by blacks before age 75 was more than double that of all other races of people in the United States. It also found that about 3,400 more stroke deaths than would be expected occurred among blacks before age 65.
The study used 2002 national and state mortality data based on death certificate information reported to the CDC.
The second study found that stroke prevalence was highest among blacks living in the Southeastern United States (3.4 percent), compared to blacks in other states (2.8 percent). Stroke rates for whites living in the Southeast were 2.5 percent, compared to 1.8 percent for whites living in other parts of the country.
The study said differences in demographics, education, lack of health insurance and risk factors for stroke accounted for much of the higher stroke prevalence in the Southeast, which is commonly referred to as the "Stroke Belt."
This study used data from the 2003 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, which collected data from 23 states and the District of Columbia.
"As we observe National Stroke Awareness Month, these two studies serve as sobering reminders that it is crucial that we do everything within our power to educate people about the steps they can take to reduce their risk for stroke. We especially need to reach African Americans and people living in the Southeastern United States," Donna Stroup, director of the CDC's Coordinating Center for Health Promotion, said in a prepared statement.
"We must improve access to health care and look at creative ways to increase public awareness of the early signs of stroke, particularly among those most at risk," Stroup said.
"It is critical that we properly address the risk factors for stroke, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, smoking, and overweight and obesity," added Dr. George A. Mensah, acting director for CDC's National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion.
"We must continue efforts to help people make the kind of lifestyle choices that can help prevent stroke, like eating a healthy diet, getting regular physical activity and not smoking. We must also continue to raise awareness of the signs and symptoms of stroke, stress the importance of calling 9-1-1, and improve emergency response and quality of care for stroke victims," Mensah said.
About 700,000 people in the United States will suffer a stroke in 2005 and about 160,000 will die from stroke. Between 15 percent and 30 percent of stroke survivors suffer permanent disability, the CDC said.
Federal health officials urge people to familiarize themselves with the warning signs of stroke:
- sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body;
- sudden confusion, including trouble speaking or understanding;
- sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes;
- sudden trouble walking, dizziness, or loss of balance or coordination;
- sudden, severe headache with no known cause.
More information
The U.S. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke has more about stroke prevention.
