In a new report, health experts are waving a big red flag about a health problem that’s getting worse: stroke.
A stroke happens when blood flow to a part of your brain is cut off, which can damage or even kill brain cells. The damage can have different impacts, like trouble speaking, moving around, or even death.
Sadly, the number of people facing this tragic health problem is rising, especially in countries that don’t have a lot of money and resources.
By 2050, the global death toll from strokes might jump by 50%, reaching a staggering 9.7 million people each year. Additionally, the economic costs (like medical bills and loss of work) might rocket up to a whopping US$2.3 trillion.
This isn’t just numbers and stats – it’s about real people and families who will be affected. Many people who survive strokes live with physical challenges, emotional struggles, and often, financial hardships.
Why is this Happening?
You might wonder, why are these numbers going up? Strokes are mostly linked to certain lifestyle choices and health conditions, like not being active, eating unhealthy food, smoking, and conditions like high blood pressure and diabetes.
Over the past 30 years, lifestyle habits have changed a lot globally. More people are eating fast food, fewer people are active in their daily lives, and chronic conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure are becoming more common.
Asia is facing a particularly tough situation. In 2020, Asia recorded the highest number of stroke-related deaths, which was 61% of the world’s total.
It’s projected that by 2050, nearly 69% of global stroke deaths (around 6.6 million people) might happen in Asia. African countries are also feeling the impact.
While their numbers are smaller compared to Asia, they too are expected to see a significant increase in stroke deaths, going up from 6% (403,000 deaths) in 2020 to 8% (765,000 deaths) in 2050.
Another major reason for the increase in strokes, particularly in countries with fewer resources, is that there isn’t enough awareness about how to prevent strokes.
Often, these countries also lack the right healthcare services and facilities to help people who have had a stroke.
The Plan to Tackle Strokes
Experts say we can do something about this! In fact, they have shared a list of practical suggestions based on their extensive research and knowledge.
They believe that if we act on these recommendations, we can significantly reduce the number of strokes and help save lives and resources.
Know the Numbers: Establish simple systems that help keep track of the number of stroke cases. This data will guide how we can prevent and treat strokes better.
Spread the Word: Use mobile phones and the internet to tell people about healthy lifestyles which can prevent strokes. Making videos and apps to educate people about the dangers of unhealthy foods, smoking, and being inactive can help.
Prepare and Equip Healthcare Services: Plan and prioritize healthcare services to deal with strokes. This includes training health workers, getting the necessary equipment and medicines, and ensuring enough funds are available.
A notable suggestion is to tax unhealthy products like sugary drinks, alcohol, and foods high in salt and bad fats.
Not only would this discourage people from consuming them, but the money collected from these taxes could be used to fund programs that fight stroke and other health issues.
Strokes are preventable and beatable with the right actions and resources.
We can reduce its global impact by following the expert recommendations, adapting them to the specific needs of different regions, and ensuring that every person has access to the necessary information, resources, and healthcare services.
Tackling the growing problem of strokes not only saves lives but also ensures a better quality of life for millions of people around the world.
It’s a battle worth fighting – by reducing the incidence of strokes, we’re not only meeting a global health goal but also taking a stand to protect and uplift the wellbeing of communities worldwide.
If you care about stroke, please read studies that diets high in flavonoids could help reduce stroke risk, and MIND diet could slow down cognitive decline after stroke.
The research findings can be found in The Lancet Neurology.
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