Burden of Stroke
Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the United States. It continues to be a significant cause of morbidity and mortality affecting nearly 750,000 Americans. Stroke also remains a leading cause of serious, long-term disability. In the United States, the total direct and indirect cost of stroke for 2008 is estimated at $65.5 billion. Direct costs, which include the cost of physicians and other health professionals, acute and long-term care, medications and other medical durables, account for 67% of total costs, while the remaining 33% is due to indirect costs, which consider lost productivity resulting from morbidity and mortality.(Circulation (2008) 117:e25¬146)
Similar to other states, Virginia’s leading health problems are heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, obesity and stroke. What is unique about Virginia is its location within the “Stroke Belt” region of the United States known for the highest incidence and mortality of stroke in the country. In 2004, stroke was the third leading cause of death in Virginia and represented 7% of total Virginia deaths. The age-adjusted mortality rate for stroke in Virginia was 7.8 percent above the national stroke rate of 50 per 100,000 (as estimated by the National Center for Health Statistics). In particular, the African American stroke mortality rate remains one of the highest in the region and is growing throughout the southern states.