Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Stroke Outcomes

Racial and ethnic disparities in stroke outcomes persist worldwide, with marginalised groups experiencing higher incidence, greater mortality and poorer functional recovery than majority populations. These inequities arise from a complex interplay of biological, socioeconomic and structural factors. Variations in vascular risk profiles—such as hypertension, diabetes and dyslipidaemia—often correlate with social determinants including income, education and geographic deprivation. Differences in access to acute care services, encompassing timely presentation, use of emergency medical services and admission to specialist stroke units, further compound these disparities by delaying diagnosis and treatment. Post‐stroke pathways also amplify inequities: differential access to rehabilitation, secondary prevention and long‐term support profoundly influences recovery trajectories. Underlying these patterns are structural barriers within health systems, implicit biases in clinical decision‐making and uneven distribution of specialised stroke resources. Global data underline the urgent need for targeted strategies to ensure equitable prevention, acute management and rehabilitation across diverse populations.

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Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Stroke Outcomes publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in racial and ethnic disparities in stroke outcomes across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Ischaemic stroke: Brain injury caused by arterial occlusion leading to reduced cerebral blood flow.

Haemorrhagic stroke: Bleeding into brain tissue or surrounding spaces due to vessel rupture.

Reperfusion therapy: Medical or endovascular treatment aimed at restoring blood supply to ischaemic brain regions.

Modified Rankin Scale (mRS): Ordinal scale assessing disability or dependence in daily activities after stroke.

Socioeconomic deprivation: Composite measure of reduced access to resources, including income, education and healthcare services.

References

1. Prevalence of Stroke — Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, United States, 2011–2022. MMWR Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (2024).
2. Ethnic differences in stroke outcomes in Aotearoa New Zealand: A national linkage study. International Journal of Stroke (2023).
3. The impact of ethnicity on stroke care access and patient outcomes: a New Zealand nationwide observational study. The Lancet Regional Health - Western Pacific (2022).