An Historic Turning Point for Stroke

WHO Member States adopt first-ever World Health Assembly resolution on stroke, marking major global policy moment

On May 22nd the World Health Assembly has adopted the first-ever resolution dedicated to stroke, marking a major milestone that could transform the global response to one of the world’s leading killers.

Stroke affects 12 million people every year, killing more than half and leaving two in three survivors with lasting disability. Yet despite this toll, and compelling evidence that strokes can be prevented, effectively treated and recovered from, it has long remained in the shadows of most health agendas.

“The resolution gives every country a framework to close the gaps in stroke care systematically” said Dr. Khaled Abdel Ghaffar, Minister of Health and Population of Egypt, who submitted the resolution to the Assembly, together with Chile, Georgia, Palestine, Paraguay and Tunisia. “Commitment today means fewer deaths and fewer disabled citizens tomorrow.”

Adopted in the wake of the 2025 United Nations High-Level Meeting on Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), the resolution calls on Member States to strengthen national policies across the care continuum – from prevention and risk factor control, to timely access to acute treatment, and expanded rehabilitation services. It also requests the World Health Organization to provide technical guidance and support countries in implementing effective, evidence-based interventions.

“We have the evidence, we know what to do, and now we have the political mandate to fundamentally change how stroke is prevented and treated. This historic resolution gives WHO and its Member States a shared roadmap, and we are fully committed to delivering on it,” said Kouamivi Agboyibor, Medical Officer, Cardiovascular Disease and Stroke, World Health Organization.

“The Global Stroke Action Coalition welcomes the adoption of the resolution, and calls on Member States to translate the resolution into concrete national action, including strengthening policy frameworks and increasing investment in stroke services. We urge the World Health Organization to implement robust monitoring and accountability mechanisms,” said Dr. Sheila Martins, Co-Chair of the Global Stroke Action Coalition, a multi-sectoral initiative established in 2025 to accelerate government action on stroke.

“Stroke cannot be addressed in silos. This milestone demonstrates the power of partnership and the impact we can create when we move forward together,” said Dr. Jeyaraj Pandian, President of the World Stroke Organization. “Now it is the time to turn this global commitment into implementation at country level across the full continuum of care.”

As the world enters the final stretch toward the 2030 deadline for the Sustainable Development Goals, the years ahead represent a critical window to close gaps in stroke prevention and care and to ensure equitable access to life-saving and disability-reducing interventions worldwide.

Additional information

Key facts about stroke

• Stroke is the second leading cause of death, and third leading cause of death and disability worldwide.
• The risk of stroke has increased by 50 % over the past 20 years, with now 1 in 4 adults experiencing a stroke in their lifetime.
• 53% of people who experience a stroke are under 70
• 94 million people are living with the effects of a stroke.
• Stroke affects people in every corner of the world, but low-and-middle-income countries (LMICs) bear the highest burden, with 87% of deaths and 89% of disability life years lost.
• The estimated global cost of stroke due to healthcare costs and lost productivity is over US$890 billion (0.66% of the global GDP) and is projected to almost double by 2050.
• Every US$ invested in prevention has a return of investment of US$10.

Source: World Stroke Organization: Global Stroke Fact Sheet 2025. Int J Stroke. 2025 Jan 3;20(2):132–144. doi: 10.1177/17474930241308142