The National Stroke Association was a U.S.-based

nonprofit organization A nonprofit organization (NPO) or non-profit organisation, also known as a non-business entity, not-for-profit organization, or nonprofit institution, is a legal entity organized and operated for a collective, public or social benefit, in co ...

working between the years 1984–2019 to reduce the incidence and impact of

stroke A stroke is a medical condition in which poor blood flow to the brain causes cell death. There are two main types of stroke: ischemic, due to lack of blood flow, and hemorrhagic, due to bleeding. Both cause parts of the brain to stop functionin ...

, the fourth leading

cause of death In law, medicine, and statistics, cause of death is an official determination of conditions resulting in a human's death, which may be recorded on a death certificate. A cause of death is determined by a medical examiner. The cause of death is ...

in the

United States The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territorie ...

. The association delivered education and programs focused on

prevention Prevention may refer to: Health and medicine * Preventive healthcare, measures to prevent diseases or injuries rather than curing them or treating their symptoms General safety * Crime prevention, the attempt to reduce deter crime and crimi ...

, treatment,

rehabilitation Rehabilitation or Rehab may refer to: Health * Rehabilitation (neuropsychology), therapy to regain or improve neurocognitive function that has been lost or diminished * Rehabilitation (wildlife), treatment of injured wildlife so they can be retur ...

, and

support Support may refer to: Arts, entertainment, and media * Supporting character Business and finance * Support (technical analysis) * Child support * Customer support * Income Support Construction * Support (structure), or lateral support, a ...

for all impacted by stroke.

History

National Stroke Association was formed in 1984 as a nonprofit healthcare organization focusing 100 percent of its resources on stroke. The organization is based in

Centennial, Colorado Centennial is a home rule municipality located in Arapahoe County, Colorado, United States. The city population was 108,418 at the 2020 United States Census, making Centennial the 11th most populous municipality in Colorado. Centennial is a par ...

. In 2006, the Annals of Neurology published National Stroke Association’s guidelines for the management of transient ischemic attacks. The final recommendations concluded that a TIA patient needs urgent evaluation and treatment. In 2019, the National Stroke Association announced that it would be dissolved and its activities folded into the

American Stroke Association The American Heart Association (AHA) is a nonprofit organization in the United States that funds cardiovascular medical research, educates consumers on healthy living and fosters appropriate cardiac care in an effort to reduce disability and death ...

, a division of the

American Heart Association The American Heart Association (AHA) is a nonprofit organization in the United States that funds cardiovascular medical research, educates consumers on healthy living and fosters appropriate cardiac care in an effort to reduce disability and death ...

Activities

The organization offered a variety of programs focused on informing the public about strokes, and supporting the victims of stroke and their caregivers. Careliving was an online social network targeting caregivers of stroke survivors, making information and resources available to them. NSA offered a series of webinars, called iHope, which were tailored to assist stroke survivors and caregivers by equipping them with the knowledge to take an active role in their post-stroke recovery. The Stroke Advocacy Network provided a venue for stroke survivors, caregivers and other stroke champions to communicate directly with elected officials. To raise awareness of the condition, the NSA initiated several campaigns. Faces of Stroke was launched in 2011 to show the personal side of strokes, featuring victims of stroke and their families. It highlighted the symptoms of stroke, and featured some celebrity spokespeople such as

Henry Winkler Henry Franklin Winkler, OBE (born October 30, 1945), is an American actor, comedian, author, executive producer, and director. After rising to fame as Arthur "Fonzie" Fonzarelli on the American television series ''Happy Days'', Winkler has ...

. The organization, along with the

spearheaded the efforts to have May declared "

National Stroke Awareness Month National Stroke Awareness Month is observed in the United States annually during the month of May. National Stroke Awareness Month was created to promote public awareness and reduce the incidence of stroke in the United States. History National S ...

", which was accomplished when President

George H. W. Bush George Herbert Walker BushSince around 2000, he has been usually called George H. W. Bush, Bush Senior, Bush 41 or Bush the Elder to distinguish him from his eldest son, George W. Bush, who served as the 43rd president from 2001 to 2009; pr ...

signed an official proclamation in May 1989. In 2011 the NSA instituted the "Raising Awareness in Stroke Excellence Awards" (RAISE), which recognize groups and individuals for their efforts to raise awareness about stroke.

Publications

National Stroke Association offered subscriptions to various publications designed to maintain an ongoing conversation about stroke. ''StrokeSmart'' was a free publication which reached 270,000 people in the United States, filled with real-life stories of people impacted by stroke. The magazine updated readers on new science and helpful products and tips for recovery and lifestyle, as well as stroke survivor and caregiver experiences. In 2013, the magazine was redesigned and launched a new website. ''Brain Alert'' was a free monthly e-newsletter designed to keep stroke survivors, caregivers and healthcare professionals up to date on stroke news and information. ''Get Involved'' was a free bi-monthly e-newsletter designed to keep stroke survivors, caregivers and healthcare professionals informed about ways to be active against stroke. And the organization also produced ''The Professional Education Newsletter'', a free monthly e-newsletter designed to keep healthcare professionals interested in stroke updated on educational offerings and important news from National Stroke Association.

References

External links

National Stroke Association official website
{{authority control Health charities in the United States Stroke organizations Medical and health organizations based in Colorado Organizations established in 1984 Organizations disestablished in 2019