Preventing Stroke Among Blacks

Cerebrovascular Diseases as Primary Hospital Discharge Diagnoses: National Trend (1970-2000) Among Older Adults

“…The association was weakened after adjustment for baseline hypertension, diabetes, educational level, smoking status, and prevalent coronary heart disease (age-adjusted rate ratio: 1.38; 95% confidence interval: 1.01, 1.89). Our results reveal higher rates of cerebrovascular disease-related hospital discharges among elderly African Americans, reinforcing the need for targeted and intensive interventions to manage modifiable risk factors for cerebrovascular disease in this population (14). Howard and colleagues (15) are currently recruiting over 30,000 participants in the National Institute for Neurological Disorders and Strokefunded study REasons for Geographic And Racial Differences in Stroke (REGARDS).…”

Differences in the Nature of Stroke in a Multiethnic Urban South African Population

“…Extracranial atherosclerosis is rare in populations in early phases of epidemiological transition, 2,32 but intracranial atherosclerosis has been described in Sub-Saharan Africans 33 and is common in African-Americans. 34 Unfortunately so few of our patients had conventional or MR angiography that we cannot comment on the infrequency of intracranial atherosclerosis. 4.…”

“…26 However, it is less likely to have influenced the differences we found between black and white patients. The classification of race and ethnicity in medicine often leads to lively debate, 34 and is a particularly sensitive topic in South Africa given the history of apartheid. Whatever one's views, the socio-political impact of the past has created different patterns of vascular disease among South Africa's population based on ethnicity.…”

Ethnic Disparities in Stroke Recognition in Individuals with Prior Stroke

“…Programs should be offered through community-based centers providing care to large numbers of minority patients, churches, and social organizations as appropriate. 32 Support for educational programs should be sought from community leaders and provided in community-based venues that are most recognized and valued by racial/ethnic minorities.…”