Stroke mortality rates
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Global Stroke Mortality Rates and Trends
Stroke remains a major global health issue, consistently ranking as the second leading cause of death worldwide. In 2019, there were over 6.5 million deaths from stroke, accounting for about 12% of all deaths globally. While the absolute number of stroke deaths has increased due to population growth and aging, the age-standardized mortality rate (ASMR) for stroke has declined by about 36% from 1990 to 2019. This means that, when adjusting for age, fewer people are dying from stroke per 100,000 population than in previous decades. However, this progress is not uniform across all regions and countries, with low-income countries experiencing much higher stroke mortality rates than high-income countries—up to 3.7 times higher in 2019 67.
Regional and National Differences in Stroke Mortality
There are significant differences in stroke mortality rates between regions and countries. High-income countries, such as those in Western Europe, the United States, Canada, Switzerland, France, and Australia, have seen steep declines in stroke mortality over recent decades. In contrast, countries in Eastern Europe, parts of Africa, and some developing regions have much higher and, in some cases, increasing stroke mortality rates. For example, Africa has the highest reported stroke-related death rate at 29%, and Eastern European countries have also experienced increases in recent years 1467+1 MORE.
Trends in Stroke Mortality in the United States and Europe
In the United States, stroke mortality rates declined steadily from 1999 to 2012. However, this trend reversed, and rates have increased slightly since 2012, particularly among younger adults (under 65), males, and certain racial and ethnic groups such as Non-Hispanic Blacks and Hispanics. The South consistently has the highest stroke death rates, while the Northeast has the lowest. Black men and women have stroke death rates at least twice as high as other groups 23910.
In the European Union, stroke mortality rates have also declined significantly over the past two decades, but the rate of decline varies by country. Western European countries generally have lower and declining rates, while some Eastern European countries have higher and sometimes increasing rates 48.
Age, Sex, and Stroke Type Differences
Stroke mortality increases sharply with age. While overall rates have declined, the reduction is more pronounced for ischemic strokes than for hemorrhagic strokes. Men have higher stroke mortality rates than women, but both sexes have seen substantial declines over time 357.
Key Risk Factors for Stroke Mortality
Hypertension is the most significant risk factor for stroke mortality, contributing to over half of all stroke-related deaths. Other major risk factors include high body-mass index, high fasting plasma glucose, air pollution, and smoking. The fastest-growing risk factor for stroke between 1990 and 2019 was high body-mass index. Addressing these risk factors is crucial for further reducing stroke mortality 167.
Impact of Stroke Care and Prevention
Improvements in stroke care, such as better emergency management and specialized stroke centers, have played a major role in reducing case fatality rates (the proportion of people who die after having a stroke). In England, for example, a 55% reduction in stroke mortality from 2001 to 2010 was mostly due to improved survival after stroke, rather than fewer strokes occurring. However, among younger adults, stroke event rates have increased, highlighting the need for stronger prevention efforts in this age group .
Conclusion
Stroke mortality rates have declined globally and in many high-income countries, mainly due to better stroke care and prevention of risk factors like hypertension. However, the overall burden of stroke remains high, especially in low-income regions and among certain populations. Recent trends show worrying increases or stagnation in some countries and age groups, emphasizing the need for continued investment in prevention, early detection, and equitable access to quality stroke care worldwide 1234+6 MORE.
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