EPIDEMIOLOGICAL OVERVIEW OF STROKE: A PERSISTENT CHALLENGE FOR PUBLIC HEALTH

Abstract

Stroke is one of the leading causes of death and disability in Brazil and worldwide and requires special attention from public health policies. The objective of this study is to discuss risk factors, prevention strategies, impact on daily activities, and the importance of the healthcare network in addressing strokes. This is a bibliographic review with an argumentative-descriptive approach, based on bibliographic research. The work is a section of the doctoral thesis entitled "CEREBRAL VASCULAR ACCIDENT: Epidemiological Analysis, Scenarios, and Problems in the Rehabilitation Process," focusing on specific aspects of the topic. The databases SciELO, LILACS, PubMed, and Google Scholar were consulted, selecting 24 publications from the 154 identified, prioritizing studies published in the last ten years, in Portuguese, English, and Spanish. The data were critically analyzed in light of the theoretical framework of the original thesis, seeking to articulate scientific evidence with the social determinants of health and institutional guidelines for the prevention and comprehensive care of people affected by stroke.