WSO Publishes Global Stroke Advocacy Priorities

04 Apr 2022 Advocacy News

As the global costs of stroke look set to reach US$1 trillion and over 100 million people are living with the consequences of stroke globally, WSO have undertaken to refine a core set of advocacy priorities that it will use to guide the engagement of policy makers in the effort to address stroke. In addition to supporting WSO’s global policy work it is anticipated that the new publication will assist with the coordination of advocacy efforts of members as they engage with regional and national decision-makers to drive for more evidence-based policy change and implementation to address stroke.

Advocacy priorities are organized around five key themes:

1 Stroke prevention - reducing exposure to stroke risk factors; implementing and promoting motivational mobile technologies; facilitating access to low dose combination medications in one polypill for specific groups and investing in the training and deployment of community health workers.

2 Stroke recognition – improving public awareness of the signs of stroke and the benefits of timely access to quality acute stroke care.

3 Stroke services – ensuring context-specific implementation of its Global Stroke Services Guideline and Action Plan and its companion WSO Roadmap to Delivering Quality Stroke Care throughout the world.

4 Life after stroke - ensuring people affected by stroke have access to neuro-rehabilitation units and when needed to long-term rehabilitation and support that is essential for health, well-being and social participation. WSO invests in and advocates for the meaningful involvement of stroke survivors and caregivers in the development of national, regional and global policy.

5 Action and accountability – WSO calls for bolder actions from both governmental and non-governmental organisations, including taxation from sugar loaded drinks, tobacco and alcohol (STAX) towards improving stroke treatment, prevention and rehabilitation services and to enhance population-based prevention programmes. WSO supports and advocates for the development and delivery of evidence-based comprehensive measures that encompass prevention, acute care, rehabilitation and support.

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WSO Advocacy Brochure

Today, over 100 million people in the world live with the consequences of a stroke and the annual costs are nearing a staggering trillion dollar mark: The World Stroke Organization is calling for action.

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Achieving our vision of a life free from stroke is a task that WSO cannot achieve alone. We are committed to building our partnerships at the global, regional and national level to scale up and deliver improvements in prevention, treatment and support to reduce the burden of stroke.