Awareness Day

World Stroke Day

October 29, 2026 Recurs yearly

An adult recognizing possible stroke symptoms in a companion and calling for emergency help, illustrating the importance of acting quickly when a stroke is suspected.

2026 Theme

Every M1nute Counts (#ActFAST)

Theme by World Stroke Organization (WSO)

Campaign Description

World Stroke Day, observed annually on 29 October, is a global awareness campaign led by the World Stroke Organization (WSO) to reduce the burden of stroke through prevention, early recognition, timely treatment, rehabilitation, and long-term support for stroke survivors. The campaign raises public awareness of stroke risk factors and warning signs while encouraging rapid emergency response to improve survival and recovery.

Theme Focus

The 2026 campaign emphasizes that recognizing stroke symptoms and acting immediately can save lives and improve recovery. It encourages the public to learn the warning signs, recognize when someone may be having a stroke, and seek emergency medical assistance rather than waiting for symptoms to disappear.

Key Priorities

  • Recognize stroke symptoms: Help people identify sudden changes in facial movement, arm strength, speech, vision, balance, or coordination.
  • Act immediately: Encourage people to contact local emergency medical services as soon as stroke is suspected.
  • Promote the FAST approach: Teach people to check for facial drooping, arm weakness, and speech difficulties, and to act quickly by seeking emergency help.
  • Improve public awareness: Make stroke recognition information accessible across age groups, communities, and literacy levels.
  • Strengthen emergency response: Encourage effective emergency transport, rapid assessment, brain imaging, and access to appropriate stroke treatment.
  • Reduce preventable strokes: Raise awareness of high blood pressure, diabetes, smoking, physical inactivity, and other modifiable risk factors.
  • Support stroke survivors: Promote rehabilitation, long-term care, social inclusion, and support for families and caregivers.
  • Improve equitable access to care: Address disparities in stroke recognition, emergency response, treatment, and rehabilitation.

Key Concepts

  • Stroke
  • Cerebrovascular disease
  • Ischemic stroke
  • Hemorrhagic stroke
  • Transient ischemic attack (TIA)
  • Stroke symptoms
  • FAST protocol (Face, Arms, Speech, and Time)
  • Facial drooping
  • Arm weakness
  • Speech difficulties
  • Sudden vision changes
  • Balance problems
  • Emergency medical services
  • Time-sensitive treatment
  • Brain imaging
  • Thrombolysis
  • Mechanical thrombectomy
  • Hypertension
  • Diabetes
  • Cardiovascular risk factors
  • Stroke prevention
  • Stroke survivors
  • Disability
  • Caregiver support

Campaign Resources & Support

  • World Stroke Organization (WSO) – Official World Stroke Day campaign information, educational resources, advocacy initiatives, and stroke prevention materials.
  • World Stroke Campaign – Official campaign resources, awareness toolkits, symptom recognition materials, and community engagement resources.
  • World Health Organization – Stroke, Cerebrovascular Accident – Global guidance on stroke prevention, treatment, rehabilitation, and public health strategies.
  • American Stroke Association – Information on stroke symptoms, emergency response, recovery, caregiver support, and healthy living.
  • Stroke Association (UK) – Patient support, rehabilitation resources, prevention advice, and information for stroke survivors and caregivers.
  • World Stroke Academy – Professional education, clinical learning resources, and evidence-based stroke care materials.
  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – Stroke – Trusted information on stroke risk factors, prevention, warning signs, and public health education.
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