The World Stroke Organization and Boston Scientific Join Forces to Bolster Awareness and Advocacy Efforts

AsiaNet 53218

LONDON, May 30 /PRN=KYODO JBN/ --

     The World Stroke Organization will team with global medical technology

leader Boston Scientific Corporation (NYSE:BSX), to further raise awareness and

take action in the worldwide fight against stroke.

    "The WSO aims to reduce the global burden of stroke through prevention,

acute treatment and long-term care," said WSO president Prof. Stephen Davis.

Joining forces with Boston Scientific and other leading companies involved in

the stroke field, to address atrial fibrillation and other stroke-related

conditions, directly helps us to achieve that mission."

    As the newest member of the World Stroke Campaign, Boston Scientific will

join other sponsors to raise awareness about World Stroke Day to take place on

October 29, 2013 and will support additional World Stroke Organization efforts

to share key messages and important information about stroke prevention and

treatments through campaign websites, pamphlets, posters, educational efforts

and email messages.

    "Boston Scientific is dedicated to improving the health of patients around

the world and supporting WSO in efforts to increase awareness of stroke is a

natural extension of our mission," said Keith Dawkins, M.D., global chief

medical officer, Boston Scientific. "We are committed to developing innovative

technologies which may provide alternatives to the current standard of care for

stroke, and the WSO efforts to support patient education about stroke, risk

factors, prevention and treatment options are highly complementary to our work."

    According to the World Health Organization, approximately 15 million people

suffer a stroke each year. Stroke is the second leading cause of death for

people above the age of 60 and the fifth leading cause in people aged 15 to 59.

It also affects children, including newborns. Each year, nearly six million

people die from stroke. In fact, stroke is responsible for more deaths annually

than those attributed to AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria altogether. Stroke is

also the leading cause of long-term disability, irrespective of age, gender,

ethnicity or country.

    The WSO launched the World Stroke Campaign in 2010 with the theme "1 in 6"

to call attention to the fact that one in six people worldwide will have a

stroke in their lifetime. Stroke knows no borders and can strike at any age.

More information about the campaign can be obtained by visiting

http://www.worldstrokecampaign.org

    The WSO is calling on its member organizations and partners to share the

WSO "1 in 6" challenge by asking them to remind individuals about these

important steps in preventing stroke:

    1) Know their personal risk factors: high blood pressure, diabetes, and

       high blood cholesterol.

    2) Be physically active and exercise regularly. Attain and maintain a

       healthy body weight.

    3) Maintain a healthy diet high in fruit and vegetable and low in salt,

       sugar, saturated and trans fats to stay a healthy state and keep blood

       pressure low.

    4) Limit alcohol consumption.

    5) Avoid cigarette smoke. And, if they smoke, to seek help to stop now.

    6) Learn to recognize the warning signs of a stroke.

    About WSO

    The World Stroke Organization (WSO) was established in October 2006. WSO's

mission is to reduce the global burden of stroke through prevention, treatment

and long-term care. As the lead international body for stroke, WSO aims to

accomplish its mission by:

    - Fostering the best standards of practice

    - Increasing stroke awareness among the population and among health    

      professionals

    - Preventing subtle cerebrovascular disease leading to gait disorders,

      imbalance, vascular cognitive impairment and behavioral changes

    - Influencing policies for stroke prevention and improved health services

    - Providing education in collaboration with public and private

      organizations

    - Facilitating stroke research advocacy for people with stroke

    - Fostering the development of systems and organizations for long-term

      care and support of stroke survivors and their families.

    With individual and organizational members worldwide, including stroke

support groups, WSO is the global voice for stroke. WSO is the only

international stroke NGO in official relations with the World Health

Organization (WHO). Prof. Stephen Davis, MD, FRCP, Edin FRACP, from Melbourne,

Australia, is the president of the World Stroke Organization.

                 http://www.worldstrokecampaign.org

    SOURCE: World Stroke Organization