Stroke: what can you do?

As readers of the International Journal of Stroke you are in a unique position. Whoever you are, wherever you are, you will have the interests at heart of those who have been affected by stroke.

As the only truly global stroke journal our readership extends across all countries and continents, a reality which is reflected by our internationally diverse content. Similarly, you represent healthcare disciplines across the complete professional spectrum. Indeed, in my travels to numerous countries in recent years I have been impressed by the extraordinary range of skills and dedication present at stroke gatherings. Some of these gatherings have been associated with World Stroke Day activities, an event which has quickly become a nidus for the promulgation of information worldwide about stroke.

This year's World Stroke Day is no exception, the theme is ‘Stroke: what can I do?’ What a pertinent question! You all contribute significantly in your own way but this raises the bar and challenges you to think laterally and do more. Can you introduce a new programme at your centre? Can you involve yourself more in the stroke community? Can you engage the broader community within your country to solve the overwhelming burden of stroke, which is increasing yearly, particularly in developing countries?

In this issue we have editorials from world leaders in Stroke; Bo Norrving, WSO; Shanthi Mendis, WHO; and the World Stroke Day Program Coordinator and initiator Vladamir Hashinski. We have also gathered together a broad range of articles reflecting the diversity of our stroke community. Our Finnish colleagues have used several stroke registers to reassure us that the aging of the population will not inevitably increase the burden of stroke in Finland if the present declining trends are maintained, however the annual number of cases will almost double if the incidence stays at the level of the year 2000. From Canada comes interesting data suggesting that antithrombotics are associated with improved outcomes after ischaemic stroke. While from Greece comes the reassuring observation that the incidence and case fatality rates for subarachnoid haemorrhage are similar to other industrialised countries.

Individual countries use World Stroke Day to highlight the immensity of the problem and the inadequacy of resources directed towards prevention and treatment of stroke. Being able to demonstrate to governments that global benchmarks of care are not being met and resource allocation is inadequate, is vital. Given that the evidence is now overwhelming that interventions at a number of levels; prevention, treatment, and service delivery will improve outcomes; you should not be reticent to grasp this political opportunity.

The benefits of World Stroke Day are not immediate nor always tangible but the flow on effects should never be underestimated!