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Ollie M.
The Baltimore County Department of Health is working with community partners to raise awareness about strokes and the importance of acting quickly when someone is having a stroke. They held an event where they shared information about the signs of a stroke and how to respond. They are using the B.E. F.A.S.T. acronym to help people remember what to look for and what to do. They are also focusing on reaching out to Black women, who are more likely to have high blood pressure and be affected by strokes. The County Executive has declared Baltimore County a Stroke Smart County to show their commitment to this important issue. The Department of Health is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year and is hosting events to engage with the community and provide information about their programs and services.
Teams with Community partners to highlight B.E. F.A.S.T. Stroke Awareness efforts
TOWSON, MD – On Wednesday, May 15, 2024, Interim Health Officer and Acting Health and Human Services Director Della J. Leister and community hospital partners shared information on efforts to make Baltimore County a Stroke Smart County. The event took place at the Drumcastle Government Building on York Road and drew a capacity crowd.
Leister was joined by community hospital partners from Greater Baltimore Medical Center, MedStar Franklin Square Medical Center, MedStar Good Samaritan Hospital, Northwest Hospital, and University of Maryland St. Joseph Medical Center. EMTs, Baltimore County Police, and other partners also attended the event which recognized Stroke as a national, state and local public health issue affecting 1 in 6 individuals.
“Every 40 seconds, someone has a stroke, and every three minutes and 14 seconds, someone dies as a result of stroke,” said Interim Health Officer Leister. “Getting timely, efficient treatment immediately can save lives and can make a positive difference in the quality of life after a stroke incident.” Leister went on to share that her 30-year-old niece suffered a stroke. “Thankfully, she was with a friend who knew the signs and was able to get immediate medical attention for her – and that made all the difference.”
A stroke, sometimes called a brain attack, occurs when something blocks blood supply to part of the brain or when a blood vessel in the brain bursts. In either case, parts of the brain become damaged or die. A stroke can cause lasting brain damage, long-term disability, or even death.
“We do want to help,” said Dr. Sharon Baucom-Myers Physician1, Chronic Disease Prevention Program, Bureau of Community Health. “We want everyone to learn prevention, and believe that being familiar with the B.E. F.A.S.T. acronym will save lives and contribute to positive post-stroke outcomes.”
The Department’s Chronic Disease Prevention Program staff shared information about their aggressive B.E. F.A.S.T. education and outreach program. This effort focuses on informing residents about the signs of a stroke and life-saving actions to take. The acronym B.E. F.A.S.T. encourages residents to watch for signs that include difficulty with Balance, Eyes, Face, Arm, Speech, and to react Timely in getting medical attention. HHS is utilizing an aggressive marketing campaign to get this information out, including transit ads, radio spots, bus shelters, placemats, mobile advertising and placing flyers and posters in public facilities across the county.
The effort also includes marketing targeting Black women and other groups disproportionately affected by stroke. High blood pressure, also called hypertension, is a main risk factor for stroke. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), almost 3 in 5 African American women are diagnosed with high blood pressure.
The CDC notes that stroke is a leading cause of death among African American women, who are more likely to die from a stroke than non-Hispanic White women or Hispanic women in the United States. African American people have the highest rate of death due to stroke among all racial and ethnic groups.
County Executive John Olszewski issued a Proclamation designating Baltimore County as a Stroke Smart County. Each community partner received a copy of the Proclamation recognizing their commitment to this initiative.
Started in 1924, the Baltimore County Department of Health is celebrating its centennial this year, and is hosting a series of Community-focused engagement events to highlight available programs and services as well as to provide listening posts for community concerns.