World Stroke Day is annually observed across the globe on October 29th to create awareness about the serious nature and high rates of stroke and to highlight the prevention and treatment for stroke to ensure better care and support for the survivors.
The World Stroke Day 2021 highlights the need to “Learn the signs of a Stroke: Save #Precioustime”.
- The Precious Time campaign aims to communicate that Minutes can save lives, Minutes can save memories, Minutes can save mobility, Minutes can save speech and Minutes can save Independence.
Background:
i.The World Stroke Day was established by the World Stroke Congress held on 29th October 2004 in Vancouver, Canada.
ii.The annual event of World Stroke Day was started by the World Stroke Organisation in 2006.
iii.The WSO has also declared stroke as a public health emergency in 2010.
Save Minutes Save Lives Campaign 2021-2022:
i.The 2-year campaign, ‘Save Minutes Save Lives’, aims to raise awareness on stroke symptoms and the importance of acting fast when you spot them.
Sign of Stroke – FAST:
- Face Dropping
- Arms Weakness
- Speech Difficulties
- Time to call
ii.4 time Olympic gold medalist and former world record breaker, Michael Johnson, American retired sprinter, is the face of the global campaign of World Stroke Day.
About Stroke:
i.Stroke is a condition where the blood supply to the brain is disrupted, which results in oxygen starvation, brain damage and loss of function.
ii.Stroke can be caused when the blood vessel that takes blood and oxygen is blocked or ruptured.
iii.The block causes ischemic stroke and the rupture causes hemorrhagic stroke.
iv.It causes permanent damage, including partial paralysis and impairment in speech, comprehension and memory.
Key Points:
i.Globally 1 in 4 adults over the age of 25 will have a stroke in their lifetime.
ii.13.7 million people worldwide will have their first stroke this year and five and a half million will die as a result.
About World Stroke Organization(WSO):
President– Marc Fisher
Executive Director– Mia Grupper
Headquarters– Geneva, Switzerland
