Community Stroke Education Using Mass Media

See related article, pages 2115–2122. Delay in presentation to the emergency department (ED) outside of the various treatment time windows for reperfusion therapy remains a significant barrier in the treatment of acute stroke patients.1–3 Previous studies have shown that although the cause of this delay is multifactorial, patient awareness of stroke signs and symptoms,4 recognition of the need to seek urgent treatment,5,6 and transport by emergency medical services4–7 have all been associated with earlier ED presentation time. Furthermore, early recognition of a stroke by others, such as family members, friends, and bystanders, also increases the probability of earlier presentation for treatment.6,7 Indeed, one study found that it is these individuals who are most likely to call 911 for a stroke victim.8In light of these findings, a few groups have implemented and reported the results of community stroke education campaigns using the mass media (ie, television and newspaper ads, radio announcements, billboards, and other forms of printed media) with the aim of reaching both individuals at high risk for stroke and others who may be in the presence of a victim during stroke onset.9–12The majority of these previous studies found a positive impact from these campaigns on the public’s knowledge of factors associated with earlier ED presentation: stroke signs, symptoms, and risk factors.9–10 However, only one study, the TLL Temple Foundation Stroke Project, reported the impact of these programs …