• May is National Stroke Awareness Month.  It is an important opportunity to foster education of the public and health care providers, which is a key component of stroke management.  Awareness hastens recognition and optimized management.

   

• Clinicians can take part in public health initiatives by educating patients about the following signs and symptoms of acute stroke:

              1.  Walk; Is their balance off?
              2.  Talk; Is their speech slurred or face droopy?
              3.  Reach; Is one side weak or numb?
              4.  See; Is their vision all or partly lost?
              5.  Feel; Is their headache severe?

• This month, public education campaigns, through mechanisms such as billboard and mass transit advertisement, will be heightened, and can be used as additional tools for patient education.