Leslie Jordan’s experience after giving birth was nothing short of a harrowing ordeal. Initially mistaking her newborn son, she soon faced debilitating health challenges, including an intense headache post-delivery and subsequently suffering a stroke. Jordan’s journey highlights a concerning trend unveiled by a recent study.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), strokes stand as a primary cause of mortality and a significant contributor to disabilities in the nation. The latest research, featured in the “Neurology” journal, underscores that Black Americans encounter strokes more frequently and at comparatively younger ages than their White counterparts.
Examining stroke patterns spanning over two decades across Ohio and Kentucky hospitals, researchers discerned a declining overall stroke rate from 1993 to 2015. However, disparities persisted. Specifically, while strokes decreased for both groups, the rate among Black individuals remained notably elevated, hovering between 50% to 80% higher than that of White individuals.
Dr. Tracy Madsen, the study’s lead author and an expert in emergency medicine and epidemiology at Brown University, acknowledged a silver lining. She noted a decreasing stroke incidence in Black adults over the 22-year span, a positive shift not observed in preceding studies. Yet, the overarching disparity remains unchanged.
Further emphasizing the urgency of this disparity, the research indicated that Black individuals grapple with strokes nearly a decade earlier than their White counterparts. This revelation resonates with Dina Piersawl’s personal encounter at 41, when she suffered an ischemic stroke, emphasizing the critical need for awareness and advocacy.
Piersawl, a fervent advocate for stroke awareness, underscores the imperative for Black women to champion their health proactively. Her journey, spanning Capitol Hill, the White House, and Mayo Clinic endeavors, emphasizes the necessity for education and proactive healthcare measures.
Echoing this sentiment, Jordan, still navigating her recovery journey, emerges as a beacon of advocacy. Collaborating with the American Heart Association, she tirelessly shares her story, aiming to enlighten others about stroke indicators like facial drooping, arm weakness, and speech difficulties. Her resounding message urges Black Americans, particularly those at elevated stroke risk, to prioritize regular health screenings for blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar levels.
In Jordan’s poignant words, “I strive to prevent any other Black woman from enduring my ordeal. Let the cycle end with me.”
