DALLAS, September 16, 2024 — The American Stroke Association, a division of the American Heart Association, has launched a new culturally relevant Spanish-language website, DerrameCerebral.org, to raise stroke awareness and promote equitable health. Stroke is the fifth-leading cause of death in the United States, but disproportionately impacts Hispanic people as the third leading cause of death among Hispanic women and the fourth among Hispanic men.[1] According to the American Stroke Association, this disparity is driven by unmanaged health risk factors, limited access to health care, lower health literacy rates, cultural barriers and socioeconomic determinants of health.[2]
In North Texas, the American Heart Association is breaking through these barriers with its community impact efforts. In 2023, local teams implemented evidence-based blood pressure programs in clinics across the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex and established three new Blood Pressure Community Hypertension Stations, allowing people to check their blood pressure and be connected to a clinic if needed.
The launch of this new site also brings more accessible resources on stroke prevention, risk factors, warning signs, treatment, and recovery to North Texans. The website is specifically tailored to the Hispanic and Latino community, offering a digital series of games and activities called the R.Á.P.I.D.O. Experience, designed to educate users on recognizing the warning signs of a stroke. It also provides life-saving information for survivors, caregivers and health care professionals.
Dr. Bharath Thankavel, who serves on the Association’s Dallas Board of Directors, said, “When it comes to a stroke, every second counts. By addressing the specific language needs of many in the Hispanic and Latino community, we are breaking a barrier that often stood in the way of prompt medical attention. Working with our community to teach them what life after a stroke looks like and how to prevent it will ultimately lead to a healthier future.” Thankavel is the Vice President Network Integration & Cardiovascular Services for Medical City Healthcare. Medical City Healthcare, supported by the HCA Healthcare Foundation, is an active partner of the American Heart Association’s Getting to the Heart of Stroke™ initiative across Dallas, Fort Worth, and surrounding counties.
The Dallas and Fort Worth divisions of the American Heart Association are excited about this new website that aims to develop tools and resources to support the Hispanic and Latino community by leveraging cultural relevance, ultimately fostering better health outcomes. As the Association celebrates 100 years of lifesaving service, this Spanish language experience reflects a commitment to expand outreach to those communities at highest risk for stroke and other cardiovascular issues.
A stroke is an emergency that can happen to anyone at any time and immediate medical attention is crucial. The American Stroke Association recommends learning the signs of a stroke and discussing risk management with your health care team.
Last year, the Association launched its culturally relevant Hispanic and Latino stroke warning signs campaign with the adoption of the Spanish stroke acronym R.Á.P.I.D.O.
Spot a stroke R.Á.P.I.D.O.
✓ R - Rostro caído (Face drooping)
✓ Á - Álteración del equilibrio (Loss of Balance, or Lack of Coordination)
✓ P - Pérdida de fuerza en el brazo (Arm weakness)
✓ I - Impedimento visual repentino (Sudden vision difficulty)
✓ D - Dificultad para hablar (Slurred or Strange Speech)
✓ O - Obtén ayuda, llama al 911 (Get help, call 911)
For more information about R.Á.P.I.D.O. and stroke awareness, visit www.DerrameCerebral.org.
The Dallas-Fort Worth area American Heart Association teams implement many community solutions through collaboration with numerous organizations and key volunteers. Organizations looking to help prevent, treat and beat stroke in North Texas can contact Jenny Ever, VP of Health Strategies, via email at jenny.eyer@heart.org, and follow on social media @AmericanHeartTX on Instagram, Facebook, and X.
- Multimedia available on the right column of the main release link - https://newsroom.heart.org/local-news/new-spanish-language-stroke-prevention-website-available-to-hispanic-and-latino-communities-in-north-texas
Additional Resources:
- Let’s talk about: Hispanic and Latino Americans and Stroke
- Stroke resources in Spanish: www.Stroke.org/espanol
- Stroke Risk Factor Status and Use of Stroke Prevention Medications Among Hispanic/Latino Adults in HCHS/SOL
- Control de la presión arterial en casa | American Heart Association
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About the American Stroke Association
The American Stroke Association is a relentless force for a world with fewer strokes and longer, healthier lives. We team with millions of volunteers and donors to ensure equitable health and stroke care in all communities. We work to prevent, treat and beat stroke by funding innovative research, fighting for the public’s health, and providing lifesaving resources. The Dallas-based association was created in 1998 as a division of the American Heart Association. To learn more or to get involved, call 1-888-4STROKE or visit stroke.org. Follow us on Facebook and X.
About the American Heart Association
The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. We are dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities. Through collaboration with numerous organizations, and powered by millions of volunteers, we fund innovative research, advocate for the public’s health and share lifesaving resources. The Dallas-based organization has been a leading source of health information for a century. During 2024 - our Centennial year - we celebrate our rich 100-year history and accomplishments. As we forge ahead into our second century of bold discovery and impact our vision is to advance health and hope for everyone, everywhere. Connect with us on heart.org, Facebook, X or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1.
For Media Inquiries:
Lindsey Lyons Jones: (214) 441-4114; lindsey.lyonsjones@heart.org
For Public Inquiries: 1-800-AHA-USA1 (242-8721)
heart.org and stroke.org
[1] American Stroke Association. 2022. Let’s Talk About Stroke. https://www.stroke.org/-/media/Stroke-Files/Lets-Talk-About-Stroke/About-Stroke/DS18658-LTAS-Hispanic-Latinos_Stroke_2022.pdf
[2] CDC. Vital Signs: Hispanic Health. https://archive.cdc.gov/#/details?url=https://www.cdc.gov/vitalsigns/hispanic-health/index.html