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Ask someone if they know what they can do to lower their risk for heart attack. Chances are they’ll rattle off a number of things,including eat a healthy diet low in cholesterol, exercise and don’t smoke. But if you ask what they can do to lower their risk for stroke, more than likely they’ll be stumped.
A stroke occurs every 45 seconds and kills every three minutes in the United States, making it the third leading cause of death for Americans. It is a major public health threat, and the statistics are even more alarming for Harris County, which has a higher stroke death rate than the national average. The only way to affect this alarming trend is to increase community awareness about this deadly and debilitating disease.
In 2006, The Methodist Hospital System launched the comprehensive five-year Taking Strides4Stroke: Community Stroke Awareness Campaign. Led by the Methodist Neurological Institute, the campaign:
- targets the diverse age groups and ethnicities in the greater Houston area
- focuses on educating the public on stroke symptoms, treatment and prevention
- includes activities such as a series of health screenings and Healthy Knowledge seminars.
Stride4Stroke 5K Run & Walk
Healthy communities begin with healthy families so its major campaign event is designed to bring families together in the fight against stroke. The 2008 Stride4Stroke Run & Walk was held on the Rice University campus on March 8. Houston’s only 5K event dedicated solely to stroke awareness was a fun filled day of activities for the entire family.
For more information about the Stride4Stroke 5K Run & Walk, please call 832-667-5867.
The Taking Strides4Stroke: Community Stroke Awareness Campaign is made possible by the generous support of individuals, corporations and foundations committed to building a healthier Houston community. All proceeds will benefit the Methodist Neurological Institute and its stroke outreach education which serves all Methodist system hospitals including
- The Methodist Hospital in the Texas Medical Center
- San Jacinto Methodist Hospital in Baytown
- Methodist Sugar Land Hospital in Sugar Land
- Methodist Willowbrook Hospital in Northwest Houston
