Key advocacy priorities

Stroke is gaining ground globally – over the past 10 years the lifetime risk of stroke in adults over 25 has risen to 1 in 4. Over 100 million people in the world have experienced stroke and projections for the next decades suggest that this number will increase strongly. The global cost of stroke looks set to hit US$1 trillion. It is clear that the long-term personal and socioeconomic impact of stroke requires specific policy and action. WSO has identified five advocacy priorities to drive the development and implementation of evidence-based stroke policy and practice.

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.

Check out our stroke advocacy playlist through this link

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Harnessing the potential for SSOs to advance global advocacy priorities

Following the launch of the WSO global policy advocacy goals, Dr Michelle Nelson, VP of WSO and co-Chair of the WSO Stroke Support Organization Committee explores how we can harness the potential of stroke support organizations to improve long-term support for stroke survivors, family and carers.

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For Lives Free from Stroke: WSO Advocacy Brochure

WSO is calling for evidence-based policy and action to address the drivers of stroke and to ensure that patients get the treatment and long-term support they need.

WSO Policy Priorities:Summary

Two-page summmary of WSO global policy priorities to address prevention, treatment and live after stroke.

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Our partners and sponsors

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.