Hispanics are particularly susceptible to stroke in the United States and speech-language pathologists (SLPs) hope to educate about stroke during the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Annual Convention in San Diego this week. Yet, according to ASHA member Lina Zeine and her co-presenter, Alatasi Clancy, their research also confirmed previous findings that Hispanics have poor awareness of stroke risk factors and warning signs. “It is imperative that SLPs continue educational outreach on stroke literacy to help prevent stroke and delays in medical treatment for this population,” Zeine says. “Hispanics represent the largest and fastest growing minority population in the United States.” Zeine also explains that while stroke risk factors are the same for all populations, Hispanics have higher prevalence of hypertension, diabetes, alcohol use, and physical inactivity. Additional barriers such as limited English proficiency, lower education level, lower socioeconomic status, lack of health insurance, lack of transportation, and limited access to health care can lead to more strokes among the population. The researchers will discuss their findings at 8:00 a.m. on Friday, November 18, in Sails Pavilion at the San Diego Convention Center (Awareness of Stroke Risk Factors in a Hispanic Population, Session 8742, Poster Board 255). Their presentation is part of ASHA's Annual Convention, which begins November 17 at the San Diego Convention Center. The Convention will feature 3 days of workshops, paper sessions, poster presentations, and the Keynote Session by Jill Bolte Taylor, author of the best-selling book, My Stroke of Insight. The Convention runs through Saturday, November 19.
