Stroke in Australia

The incidence of stroke across Australian cities and towns has been mapped by the National Stroke Foundation in its recently released report and website Stroke in Australia: No postcode untouched.

Stroke is a devastating disease that places significant demands on health services, families and the community across the country.

The data in the report includes estimates of the number of strokes, survivors and the death rate. It demonstrates the impact stroke produces in each Australian federal electorate, including estimating that stroke costs the Australian economy $5 billion per year including $3 billion in lost productivity.

“Our report shows that no postcode has been left untouched by stroke,” National Stroke Foundation CEO Dr Erin Lalor said when launching the report at Parliament House in Canberra. “Every 10 minutes someone in Australia will suffer a stroke and there are a thousand cases each week. Close to 12,000 people will die in 2014 from stroke and two-thirds of those that survive will be disabled.

“Despite successive governments recognising stroke as a national health priority, Australia does not have a federally funded strategy or the care services to address widespread need,” she added.

The report identifies Tasmania and South Australia as the states with the highest stroke burden per head of population, whereas NSW has five of the top 10 stroke survivor hot spots and six of the top 10 for number of strokes. Regional Victoria was also represented in the top quarter of Australian electorates for stroke burden.

This new data provides a valuable starting point for targeted public policy development because it shows the cities and towns where stroke has its biggest impact.

Australians most at risk of a stroke include the 6.1 million people living with high cholesterol, 4.1 million with high blood pressure and 434,000 with atrial fibrillation - this irregular heartbeat condition can cause a five-fold increase in risk of stroke. Lack of physical exercise is also a risk factor.