People with more money and education much less likely to die from stroke

By Stephen Beech via SWNS

High earners are a third less likely to die from a stroke, according to new research.

And university-educated graduates are a quarter less likely to do so, suggests the study.

Researchers found that people on a high income have a 32 percent lower risk of dying as a result of a stroke while those with higher education have a 26 percent lower risk.

They say their findings highlight "striking disparities" in stroke survival based on key social determinants of health (SDoH).

The study analyzed information from 6,901 stroke patients in Gothenburg, Sweden, between November 2014 and December 2019 to examine the impact of SDoH factors on stroke survival.

Researchers focused on four SDoH factors: living area, country of birth, education and income.

As well as identifying a "significant" connection between income, education level and post-stroke mortality risk, the study uncovered a "concerning trend" regarding the cumulative impact of SDoH factors.

Patients with one unfavorable SDoH factor faced an 18 percent higher risk of mortality compared to patients without any unfavorable SDoH factors.

However, that risk escalated to 24 percent for patients with two to four SDoH factors, according to the findings.

Lead author Professor Katharina Stibrant Sunnerhagen said: “Our findings underscore a stark reality - an individual’s socio-economic status can be a matter of life or death in the context of stroke, especially when they are confronted with multiple unfavorable SDoH factors.

"While our study was conducted in Gothenburg, we believe these insights resonate across Europe, where similar healthcare structures and levels of social vulnerability exist, highlighting a pervasive issue throughout the continent.”

The research team also found a link between increased risk of dying and additional risk factors such as physical inactivity, diabetes, alcohol abuse and irregular heartbeat, also known as atrial fibrillation.

They said insights also emerged regarding gender disparities.

The proportion of female patients increased with the number of unfavorable SDoH factors with 41 percent of the group with no unfavorable SDoH factors being female, whereas 59 percent of the group with two to four unfavorable SDoH factors comprised females.

Smoking, whether current or within the past year, was also more prevalent in the group with two to four unfavorable SDoH factors (19 percent) compared to those with none (12 percent).

Stibrant Sunnerhagen, of the University of Gothenburg, said: “As the number of people affected by stroke in Europe is projected to rise by 27 percent between 2017 and 2047, the need for effective interventions is more pressing than ever.

"In light of our study’s findings, targeted strategies are essential.

"Policymakers, for instance, must tailor legislation and approaches to account for the specific circumstances and needs of diverse communities, while clinicians should consider identifying patients with unfavorable SDoH factors to prevent post-stroke mortality.”

She added: “By addressing these disparities, we will not only support the principles of health equity but also have the potential to significantly enhance public health outcomes.”

The findings are due to be presented at the 10th European Stroke Organisation Conference (ESOC) in Basel, Switzerland.