Stroke Medical Experts and Stroke Advocates Present a Joint Plan to Combat Stroke

Stroke Action Plan for Europe 2018-2030

Basel and Brussels, 11 May 2018 – Just one year after signing a Memorandum of Understanding, the European Stroke Organisation (ESO) and the Stroke Alliance for Europe (SAFE) are proud to present the “The Stroke Action Plan for Europe 2018-2030”, with the aim of significantly improving stroke care and Life after Stroke for the millions of people expected to have strokes over the next 12 years.

ESO and SAFE will present the Stroke Action Plan for Europe to the medical world for the first time in a joint session at ESOC in Gothenburg on Thursday, 17 May. In addition to speakers from ESO and SAFE, the World Health Organisation (WHO) perspective on Joining Forces in Combating Stroke in Europe will be presented.

The main recommendations in the Stroke Action Plan for Europe will be launched to politicians and the public at the European Parliament on 23 May at the 2nd EU Stroke Summit.

“The significance of this historic collaboration between the largest organisation of stroke professionals in Europe and the alliance of stroke support organisations from over 30 European countries should not be underestimated. It has never before been more important for stroke professionals and patients to work together.”- commented Valeria Caso, the President of ESO and a member of the Steering Committee of the Stroke Action Plan for Europe.

According to the Burden of Stroke in Europe Report launched last year, it is predicted that there will be a 34% increase in the absolute number of strokes and a 25% increase in the number of stroke survivors living with the effects by 2035.

“SAFE and ESO are both committed to continuing their fruitful partnership to harmonise their efforts in order to reduce the burden of stroke in Europe. We hope that our compelling arguments will attract the attention of the policy makers and encourage them to push stroke up their agenda, bringing a real-life change that is absolutely needed.” –said Jon Barrick, the President of SAFE and a member of the Stroke Action Plan Steering Committee.

“The Stroke Action Plan is a road map for decreasing the occurrence of stroke and increasing the quality of life and care for stroke survivors. It is a truly inclusive plan resulting from a year of brainstorming, collaborating, crowd sourcing and revising made possible through the dedication of members of ESO and SAFE. The Stroke Action Plan provides recommendations and targets for governments in seven domains.”- asserted Prof. Bo Norrving, the Chair of the Stroke Action Plan for Europe Steering Committee.

About the project “Stroke Action Plan for Europe”

The project addresses the most important issues along the stroke care pathway from primary prevention to life after stroke.
The final document covers seven domains:

  1. Primary Prevention
  2. Stroke Services Organisation
  3. Acute Stroke Management
  4. Secondary Prevention
  5. Rehabilitation
  6. Evaluation of Quality and outcomes
  7. Life After Stroke

Each working group for the seven domains included members from ESO and SAFE, working together to provide a 360° view on stroke as a disease and the needs of the stroke survivors and their carers.

Overarching targets for 2030

Four overarching targets for the Stroke Action Plan for Europe 2018-2030 have been identified for 2030. These are complemented by further specific targets for each of the seven domains that follow.

  1. Reduce the absolute number of strokes in Europe by 10%.
  2. Treat 90% or more of all patients with stroke in Europe in a stroke unit as the first level of care.
  3. Have national plans for stroke encompassing the entire chain of care from primary prevention through to life after stroke.
  4. Fully implement national strategies for multi-sectorial public health interventions promoting and facilitating a healthy life-style, and reducing environmental (including air pollution), socio-economical and educational factors that increase the risk of stroke.

About SAFE
The Stroke Alliance for Europe (SAFE) is a non-profit-making organisation formed in 2004. It is the voice of stroke patients in Europe, representing a range of patient groups from over 30 European countries. SAFE’s goal is to decrease the number of strokes in Europe by advocating for better prevention, access to adequate treatment, post-stroke care and rehabilitation.

In 2017, SAFE published the Burden of Stroke in Europe Report that considered 12 indicators on the stroke care pathway in 35 European countries. As more people survive stroke, the burden of care and support increases.

For more information about SAFE and the Burden of Stroke in Europe report, please visit www.safestroke.eu.
Contact person: Jelena Misita, SAFE Awareness and Advocacy Manager
Email: Jelena.misita@safestroke.eu

About ESO
The European Stroke Organisation (ESO) is a pan-European society of stroke researchers and physicians, national and regional stroke societies and lay organisations founded in December 2007. The ESO is an NGO comprised of individual and organisational members. The aim of the ESO is to reduce the burden of stroke by changing the way that stroke is viewed and treated. This can only be achieved by professional and public education, and by making institutional changes.

ESO serves as the voice of stroke in Europe, harmonising stroke management across the whole of Europe and taking action to reduce the burden of stroke regionally and globally.

For more information, please visit www.eso-stroke.org
Contact person: Jennifer Thomsen, ESO Head Office
Email: Jennifer.thomsen@eso-stroke.org