A New Era in the Fight Against Stroke in Turkey

Sağlıklı Turkey is becoming part of the World Stroke Organization Stroke Support Organization (SSO) network.

1. Global Picture and Role of WSO

Stroke is one of the leading causes of permanent disability and dementia, accounting for 12 million new cases and 6.5 million deaths worldwide each year. The lifetime risk has risen to the point that one in four people over the age of 25 will have a stroke. In response to this picture, the World Stroke Organization (WSO) conducts global advocacy and capacity building and promotes the vision of "Lifelong Freedom from Stroke" in collaboration with national stakeholders.

2. Key Findings from WSO Publications

According to the Global Stroke Fact Sheet 2025, 101 million people worldwide are living with stroke. By 2050, a 50% increase in global stroke deaths is projected.

Stroke Support Organization Toolkit 2024 reveals that 90% of stroke can be prevented with modifiable risk factors. It also highlights the need for sustainable funding and human resources for stroke patient and family associations.

Roadmap to Delivering Quality Stroke Care provides a framework for implementing and monitoring evidence-based standards of care. This guide is published in eight languages, including Turkish.

3. The SSO Model: Why It Matters?

WSO's SSO model brings together volunteers, health professionals and stroke survivors under one roof to:

• Increase public awareness.
• Close gaps in "Stroke After Life" services.
• brings policy makers together with strong patient and relatives voices.

4. Stroke Burden and Gap Analysis in Turkey

• According to the 2019 data of the GBD, there are 125,345 new stroke cases per year in Turkey (154/100,000 people). 1,080,380 people live after a stroke (1.3%). Every year, 48,947 people die due to stroke, with a total annual loss of approximately 993,000 DALYs.
• According to the 2020 data of the Turkish Statistical Institute, 35,880 stroke deaths occur annually. This means that one person dies every 15 minutes due to stroke.
• The burden of young people and women is high. 17.4% of cases are under the age of 50 and 54.3% are women. This comes at a significant cost in terms of lost workforce and burden of care.
• In terms of type distribution, 65.1% of cases are ischemic and 34.9% are hemorrhagic (Intracerebral Hemorrhage + Subarachnoid Hemorrhage). Gaps in hypertension control remain a critical problem.
• There are significant gaps in data and services. Turkey lacks a national real-time stroke registry. Access to mechanical thrombectomy within 1 hour is below 50% and regional disparities persist.

5. Roadmap of the Health Policy Association

• Institutional Membership: We aim to be accepted as an official member of the WSO-SSO network.
• Capacity Building: A mixed core team of volunteers and professionals will be established; a management and funding structure will be established.
• Advocacy and Policy: A draft National Stroke Action Plan will be prepared and lobbying activities will be carried out before the Parliament and the Ministry of Health.
• Awareness Campaign: "We are Stronger than Stroke Turkey" campaign will be shared with the public on October 29, 2025, World Stroke Day.
• Service and Research: The "Stroke After Life" support hotline will be piloted and stakeholder collaboration for a national stroke database will be established.

6. Our Call

• To health authorities: We call on them to collaborate to develop a national stroke strategy and support financial sustainability.
• Academia and NGOs: We call on them to develop joint projects in rehabilitation, care and advocacy.
• Private sector: Contribute to the fight against stroke through responsible investment and social impact programs.
• Individuals: Get your risk factors checked, join our volunteer network and support solutions to improve life after stroke.

As the Association for Promoting Healthy Life and Health Policies, we are starting the fight for a stroke ecosystem that will bring together global knowledge with Turkey's needs; a stroke ecosystem that is preventable, treatable and has a manageable quality of life. If we act together, "We are Stronger Against Stroke!"

Sources

1. Global Stroke Fact Sheet 2025 - World Stroke Organization
2. Stroke Support Organization Toolkit 2024 - World Stroke Organization
3. Roadmap to Delivering Quality Stroke Care - World Stroke Organization
4. GBD 2019 Data - tjn.org.tr
5. TUIK 2020 Data - Anadolu Agency
6. Stroke Support Organization Membership Guide - World Stroke Organization
7. World Stroke Day Materials - World Stroke Organization
8. WSO Global Political Agenda - World Stroke Organization