Surgerydoor - Health News

The results of a new survey issued last week by The Stroke Association shows that people are more concerned for their wealth than the health of their brain.

Conducted by GfK NOP, the survey found that the prospect of losing a bank card would prompt an immediate reaction from most respondents (88%) whereas when asked what someone should do if they experienced the symptoms of a stroke – which causes immediate brain damage - one third of people would wait up to 24 hours or more before taking action.

It was the 45 – 54 year olds that were most aware of what they should do in the event of a stroke with the 16-24’s and 65+ age groups least likely to take immediate action. Yet 25% of all strokes will happen to those under 65.

Women were more aware of the risk of the symptoms of stroke - 69% of women said call 999 immediately on experiencing the symptoms of stroke - in comparison to just 59% of men. However 87% of women and 89% of men would get in touch with their bank straight away if they lost their bank card.

The charity believes that this is because the general public are still not aware of the devastating impact of stroke – the UK’s third biggest killer. A stroke is a brain attack which, tragically, can strike without warning and leave sufferers paralysed, blind or unable to speak. Only 33% of the public realised that a stroke causes immediate brain damage.

This lack of awareness was further underpinned recently in a survey that showed that people believed they were more at risk of being mugged than having a stroke. Yet official figures show that whilst a mugging occurs up to every 13 minutes, someone has a stroke every five minutes.

Joe Korner, Director of Communications at The Stroke Association comments: These results highlight how stroke continues to be misunderstood by the public and is way down on their agenda. People simply do not realise the devastation that a stroke can cause or that it can be prevented. To tackle this, The Stroke Association has launched an advertising campaign - Leading the fight against brain attacks - to highlight this life-changing condition and the need for increased funding into stroke research”.

When asked how much funding went into stroke research, respondents were also wildly off the mark. Latest figures show that annual charity research funding into stroke was just £2.6 million, yet just under half of people questioned believed funding to be more than 10 million whilst a quarter did not have any idea. 11% of men thought that funding exceeded £50 million.

Professor Joanna Wardlaw is a leading stroke researcher: “Many of the really important advances in stroke care that are now in clinical practice all over the world, have come from doctors, nurses, other therapists and scientists in the UK.

“Stroke is an underfunded area but this research is vital for improving outcomes for stroke survivors. Donating funds for stroke research and encouraging hospitals and patients to participate in stroke trials is crucial for the future of stroke care - not only in the UK but across the world.”

Joe Korner concludes; “The Stroke Association leads the fight against brain attacks by supporting stroke survivors and funding vital research. This research has saved lives. But we need your help to do much more.”

Stroke - Medical Conditions
Life After a Stroke

Labels: stroke, stroke association, wealth

• Chlamydia increased by 4% (from 109,418 in 2005 to 113,585 in 2006)
• Genital warts increased by 3% (from 81,201 in 2005 to 83,745 in 2006)
• Genital herpes increased by 9% (from 19,830 in 2005 to 21,698 in 2006)
• Syphilis decreased by 1% (from 2,804 in 2005 to 2,766 in 2006)
  Gonorrhoea decreased by 1% (from 19,248 in 2005 to 19,007 in 2006)
• Figures for other STIs such as pubic lice and non-specific genital infection decreased by 0.1% (from 135,840 in 2005 to 135,707 in 2006)

Dr Gwenda Hughes, Head of the STI Section at the Agency said, “The groups who we are most concerned about are young adults and gay men and it's crucial that we reach these groups with messages about safe sex, including condom wearing, and the importance of getting tested if they feel they've put themselves at risk of contracting an STI. One way to control chlamydia in young adults is the National Chlamydia Screening Programme, which aims to provide a test each year to sexually active under 25 year-olds in health settings outside of GUM clinics. 51% of primary care trusts are screening and a further 34% of PCTs are about to begin screening.”

“We have seen a continued and substantial increase in infections amongst gay men. This is of concern because by engaging in unsafe sex these men are also placing themselves at risk of HIV infection.

“The continued rise in the number of people being diagnosed with sexually transmitted infections is in part due to more people coming forward for testing as they are more aware of these infections. During 2006, nearly one million people were screened for an STI at a GUM clinic and the number of people having an HIV test has been increasing each year. The more people who are screened the more will be diagnosed and this will help in the control of these infections.”

Professor Troop continued: “Monitoring of STIs and other infectious diseases forms only one part of the Agency's work in safeguarding the UK 's public health. Our fourth annual report illustrates the many other areas in which the Agency has made significant progress in protecting people's health over the last year. For example, the extensive follow-up of those involved in the Polonium-210 incident, work in tackling blood borne infections such as hepatitis B and C in the prison community, and continuing to assist the NHS in tacking healthcare associated infections such as MRSA and Clostridium difficile . The Agency also runs exercises to strengthen emergency planning, such as exercise Winter Willow which was the largest live exercise since the Cold War and tested pandemic flu planning. "

Labels: chlamydia, genital herpes, genital warts, sti, syphilis