Stroke Foundation is issuing a call to action to the Northern Territory government to fund a community stroke awareness program.
It comes after the foundation’s F.A.S.T. National Awareness Survey, which tests Australians’ knowledge of the signs and risks of stroke, revealed that residents of NT have the lowest level of awareness of the common signs of stroke in Australia.
Alarmingly, only 38 per cent of surveyed residents knew slurred speech, just 35 per cent knew facial droop and a mere nine per cent knew inability to lift both arms are all common signs of stroke.
Stroke Foundation Chief Executive Officer, Dr Lisa Murphy, says the numbers are disheartening but there is a way to turn them around.
“This is not what we want to see but we are willing and ready to work with the Northern Territory government to turn these statistics around and empower residents with the life-saving F.A.S.T. (Face, Arms, Speech, Time) stroke awareness message.”
Dr Murphy says investment in Stroke Foundation’s F.A.S.T. Community Education Grants Program is crucial to lifting awareness of stroke, its signs and risk factors in the Territory.
“As seen with other states, this program will increase the number of Territorians who know what stroke is, how to reduce stroke risk, how to recognise a stroke when it occurs and how vital it is to call triple zero. It will ensure life-saving information on stroke will reach more Territorians and will deliver economic benefits for our health and disability systems,” Dr Murphy said.
Stroke is a medical emergency caused by a sudden interruption of blood flow to the brain, either due to a blockage or a bleed, which can lead to damage, loss of brain function or death.
Around 272 strokes occur in the Northern Territory, every year and there are currently more than 2,500 people living with stroke in the NT. Some populations, such as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, experience significantly greater rates of stroke and worse outcomes.
“Stroke may strike you, your loved one, a friend, or a colleague any time. The most important action you can take for that person is pick up the phone, dial triple zero (000) for an ambulance without delay and get them immediate emergency treatment.”
“For every 15 minutes saved in restoring blood flow to the brain, one month of healthy life is gained, so it is critical to act quickly and get emergency treatment as soon as possible. This all starts with knowing the signs”.
