Experts Emphasizes modifying lifestyle to reduce Stroke burden on society

Bhubaneswar: Stroke has emerged as a significant global health concern, leading to high mortality rates and long-term disabilities. To combat this silent threat, medical professionals stress the importance of an informed public and call upon the media and communication sector to actively disseminate awareness on the matter.

Speaking at the state-level media workshop, renowned neurologist Dr. Subhransu S Jena highlighted, “Every 6 seconds, a person succumbs to Stroke. Timely clinical intervention is often hampered by delayed access to stroke-ready facilities. Thus, individual awareness is pivotal in combating this silent killer.” Dr. Jena’s session on ‘Stroke 101’ aimed to enhance the understanding of stroke among media professionals.

Organized by IFI Foundation in collaboration with OdishaLIVE and Swasthya Plus Network, the workshop is part of a fortnight-long public health awareness campaign leading up to World Stroke Day on October 29.

“Among Non-Communicable Diseases, stroke significantly impacts global health and development. The media has a crucial role in disseminating knowledge about stroke symptoms and the critical ‘golden hour’ for effective intervention,” asserted Dr. PKB Patnaik, a seasoned public health specialist and former nodal officer for NCD with the Government of Odisha.

The ‘Stroke Mukta Jeebana’ (Life Free from Stroke) campaign is a collaborative effort involving ICMR-RMRC Bhubaneswar, Indian Public Health Association (IPHA), Public Health Foundation of India (PHFI), and Care Hospital Bhubaneswar. The initiative encompasses informational videos, media workshops, newsletters, and technical sessions within a comprehensive conclave.

In an ever-evolving global landscape and with the prevalence of modern lifestyles, Non-Communicable Diseases like hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases (CVD), and strokes have become growing concerns for the medical, public health, and research communities worldwide.