One stroke every 11 minutes demands ‘Australia to act now and act boldly’

Pharma News: Australia is facing a striking increase in stroke cases, with new national data revealing the highest incidence in over two decades – one stroke occurring every 11 minutes.

According to the Stroke Foundation’s Economic Impact of Stroke Report – sponsored by Boehringer Ingelheim, the Angels Initiative, and Medtronic – nearly half a million stroke survivors are living within the Australian community, while 34,793 individuals experienced their first stroke in the past year.

Dr Lisa Murphy, CEO of the Stroke Foundation, emphasised the urgency of addressing this health crisis.

“We expect to see the number of strokes increasing as the population increases and ages, but what the raw data is telling us is that Australia needs to act now and act boldly to make significant changes to the state of stroke in our country,” she said.

The report predicts that by 2050, annual stroke cases could soar to 72,000.

“This projection is a worrying reality if we do not address the rising tide of modifiable stroke risk factors and improve stroke prevention for all Australians,” Dr Murphy warned. “Not only is stroke costing Australians their lives and livelihoods, it is putting pressure on our health system and economy.”

Professor Dominique Cadilhac from Monash University highlighted the far-reaching implications of stroke.

“Our detailed modelling has revealed the massive impact of stroke to individuals and families, as well as the health system. Disability caused by stroke may impact the ability for people to work or contribute fully to their families and communities. The flow-on effect is that relatives or friends often have to step in and give up work or other activities to help support the person living with stroke,” Professor Cadilhac explained.

The Economic Impact of Stroke Report revealed that the total costs associated with stroke in 2023 surpassed $15.7 billion over a lifetime, averaging more than $350,000 per individual. This includes $5.5 billion in healthcare costs, $6.3 billion in lost productivity, and $3.3 billion in informal care costs.

When factoring in the first-year cost of $7.7 billion and the stroke-related expenses under the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) amounting to $1.3 billion, the annual economic burden of stroke on Australia reaches a staggering $9 billion.

Alberto de la Hoz, Medical Director of Boehringer Ingelheim Australia & New Zealand, stated “Boehringer Ingelheim Australia is honoured to support the Stroke Foundation in the launch of the Economic Impact of Stroke report.

“Through our Angels Initiative, we remain committed to enhancing the quality of care and supporting the collective efforts across all states and territories to achieve the 30|60|90 National Stroke Targets.”

Despite the progress made in stroke treatment over the past two decades, the report underscored the critical need for continued investment to alleviate the burden of stroke on Australia’s healthcare system and economy. It identified potential cost savings, including $26 million through improved acute care provision, $315 million by better managing uncontrolled hypertension, and $118 million by enhancing access to community rehabilitation services.

“It is a pivotal document for informing conversations and decision-making about the allocation of resources to improve the prevention, treatment, and management of stroke in Australia.

“It will inform all Australians, governments, administrators, health professionals, researchers, and the stroke community with lived experience on the actions required to enhance stroke prevention, treatment, and recovery,” Dr Murphy added.

Minister for Health and Aged Care, Mark Butler MP, echoed the report’s significance, saying “This report is a powerful reminder of the impact stroke can have on patients, their families, and the country at large. Preventing stroke is by far the best cure, and all the top risk factors are lifestyle-related.”

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