Stroke Systems of Care Framework

Key points

  • The Framework highlights the four key components of stroke systems of care that effectively treat patients from the time they have a stroke.
An ambulance speeding down the road.

Overview

Stroke is a leading cause of death and long-term disability in the United States.12 State health departments and other organizations can help reduce the number of premature deaths and disabilities from stroke by applying the strategies outlined in the Stroke Systems of Care Framework.

The Framework highlights the four key components of stroke systems of care: 1) Pre-hospital 2) EMS 3) Acute Stroke Treatment and 4) Stroke Rehabilitation. These components effectively treat patients from the time they have a stroke, through emergency medical services transport to the hospital and in-hospital care, and through their discharge from the hospital and to outpatient care.

The Framework provides links to a wide range of tools and resources, developed by the Paul Coverdell National Acute Stroke Program grantees, that can help health departments establish or enhance support for integrated stroke systems of care in their state or community.

Explore these resources and adapt the strategies to support your program's stroke activities.

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Content Source:
National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion; About the Division for Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention
  1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Underlying Cause of Death 1999–2020 on CDC WONDER Database. Accessed January 29, 2024.
  2. Virani SS, Alonso A, Benjamin EJ, et al. Heart disease and stroke statistics—2024 update: A report from the American Heart Association. Circulation. 2024;149:e347–e913.