Disparities in Access to Advanced Stroke Care

Stroke remains one of the leading causes of deaths related to cardiovascular disease and it is the most prominent cause of disability in the US. Functional outcome after a stroke is dependent on the time from stroke onset to appropriate stroke care. Despite the advances of modern medicine and the number or stroke centers available, there are demographic disparities in access to advanced stroke care. This study aims to examine those demographics leading to the decreased access in advanced stroke care. This descriptive study uses population data by census tract from the United States Census Bureau for the year 2018, endovascular capable stroke centers certified by as the Joint Commission and State Departments of Health, as well as Social Vulnerability Index (SVI). The social vulnerability index (SVI) is comprised of 15 demographic factors such as ethnicity, income, race, gender, and socioeconomic status, all which have an ultimate effect on health outcomes (CDC, 2021). The data obtained were mapped and drive times were obtained and compared amongst the various stratified groups of interest, such as by distance and by the total SVI and its 4 domains. We believe that drive times to advanced stroke centers and ultimately stroke care, are affected by population demographics such as minority status, English as a second language, and access to transportation for example