Five years 'Healthy Lower Rhine…Against Stroke': implementation of a regional, intersectoral and sustainable public health program

摘要

Aim Stroke is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Optimizing health care according to the “time is brain” concept is recommended by the Local Health Conferences (KGK) in North Rhine-Westphalia. In 2001, KGK managers from six neighboring districts and municipalities founded the "Healthy Lower Rhine Network." In 2003 the network launched the program "Healthy Lower Rhine…Against Stroke." This initiative aims primarily at reducing pre-hospital time, i.e., delays from onset of symptoms to hospital presentation in order to optimize modern acute health care. Improving community knowledge of stroke is crucial in this context as well as training in the professional sector.