Contributors

AV
Alexander Valkov

Stroke - The New Humanitarian Catastrophe: Shifting Priorities

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.58894/EJPP.2022.2.430
stroke stroke prevalence stroke burden health policy stroke prevention fast test

Abstract

Objectives: This study summarizes and analyses the latest data on the status, magnitude and trends of the disease at global, European and national levels as a basis for effective health policies. On this basis, it argues for the importance of primary stroke prevention and awareness at all stages of disease development. More specifically, characteristics of young people's awareness (in the target group of non-medical students) are derived, with the hypothesis that there is poor knowledge of risk factors and signs for stroke, which young people acquire in a casual way.

Methods: Two sets of methods were used to achieve the above objectives: (1) Documentary research and analytical review of recent review publications and data outlining long-term trends in the prevalence and severity of the disease; (2) Online survey of 138 responding second and third year students from non-medical majors in the most mainstream professional fields of Economics and Administration and Management from 3 universities in Sofia. The survey was conducted in the period 15.01.2022 - 15.02.2022.

Results: The study systematizes current scientific results on the increase in incidence, prevalence and burden of stroke in the long term. The picture of the disease in our country and projections over the next decade show that stroke is a major public health problem for our country. Worldwide data show that the disease is becoming a modern humanitarian catastrophe that requires rapid, decisive and coordinated global and national action. Tackling this catastrophe requires changes in health policies across the stroke pathway, with awareness and prevention prioritized at a population level. Control of risk factors can be achieved with a comprehensive rethinking and restructuring of health priorities.