Katharina Buczek
“While our study was conducted in Gothenburg, we believe these insights resonate across Europe, where similar healthcare structures and levels of social vulnerability exist, highlighting a pervasive issue throughout the continent.”
Still, education and income were not the sole contributors. The researchers actually identified connections between heightened mortality risk and lifestyle aspects such as sedentary behavior, alcohol abuse, diabetes, and atrial fibrillation – or a form of irregular heartbeat.
Moreover, the study even uncovered some gender discrepancies. As the number of adverse SDoH factors increased, so did the proportion of women.
So, while 41% of the participants without unfavorable factors were women, this proportion rose to 59% among those with two to four unfavorable factors.
Considering the study’s results, Stibrant Sunnerhagen stressed how urgent action is needed – especially since the projected rise in the number of stroke cases in Europe between 2017 and 2047 is 27%.
“In light of our study’s findings, targeted strategies are essential. Policymakers, for instance, must tailor legislation and approaches to account for the specific circumstances and needs of diverse communities, while clinicians should consider identifying patients with unfavorable SDoH factors to prevent post-stroke mortality,” she concluded.
“By addressing these disparities, we will not only support the principles of health equity but also have the potential to significantly enhance public health outcomes.”
The researchers will be presenting the findings of this study at the 10th European Stroke Organization Conference (ESOC).
