DPH mounts campaign to educate about signs of stroke

The Department of Public Health is mounting a campaign to teach people how to recognize the early signs of stroke.

Without prompt treatment, 62 percent of people who experience a stroke will suffer at least moderate impairment. Research indicates that the time between the onset of a stroke and medical treatment can make the difference between full recovery and permanent mobility or speech impairment.

The public health campaign, called FAST (short for “Face, Arm, Speech and Time”) helps people to remember the signs and symptoms of stroke and promptly call 911.

The campaign offers municipalities free brochures, posters, wallet cards and videos, all of which can be ordered at www.MAClearinghouse.com. An animated three-minute educational video, “Stroke Heroes Act Fast,” has been posted on YouTube, along with similar videos in Spanish and Portuguese.

To obtain a FAST education kit, provide a PowerPoint presentation to clients, or broadcast the video on your local cable-access station, contact Ted Clark at the DPH at (617) 624-5444 or ted.clark@state.ma.us.

The DPH can also provide an article on strokes for city or town Web sites or newsletters.