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By Melissa Fleur Afshar
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Delaware has the highest rate of stroke deaths in the U.S., followed closely by Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana and North Carolina, according to the federal data.
New York, Massachusetts, Montana, Vermont and Rhode Island recorded the lowest stroke death rates in the country.
The data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)'s National Center for Health Statistics is for 2022—the most recent year available, and includes age-adjusted death rates, which account for differences in population size and age distribution between states.
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Strokes occurs when the blood supply to part of the brain is interrupted or reduced, depriving brain tissue of oxygen and nutrients. Prompt treatment is critical, as early intervention can reduce brain damage and improve chances of recovery.
"Stroke is more common in certain states like Alabama, Mississippi and South Carolina due to a complex interplay of social determinants of health, demographic factors, and healthcare access," stroke neurologist professor Shraddah Mainali of the Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center told Newsweek.
"Higher stroke mortality in certain southeast states is associated with various factors such as increased prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors like hypertension, diabetes and physical inactivity; lower socioeconomic status and limited proximity to health care centers.
"These factors often overlap, compounding risk and leading to persistently elevated stroke incidence and mortality in the Southeast, while states such as New York, Massachusetts, Vermont and Rhode Island benefit from more favorable social and healthcare environments resulting in lower stroke mortality."
The 'Stroke Belt'
The five states at the top of the list—Delaware, Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana and North Carolina—are part of a wider region sometimes referred to as the "stroke belt," where rates of stroke and related deaths have historically been higher.
According to Mainali, a mix of factors has long been contributing to the higher rates in these areas; such factors include limited access to specialized stroke care and higher rates of chronic health conditions—as well as lifestyle factors such as diet and physical inactivity.
The CDC's latest report reinforces the need for targeted prevention efforts in states with higher stroke death rates, especially as strokes occurring within younger people remains a growing concern.
Do you have a tip on a health story that Newsweek should be covering? Do you have a question about stroke? Let us know via health@newsweek.com.
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