30 The Courier sun • health • september 3, 2015 for breaking news visit www.couriersun.com Major federal grant for stroke prevention in New York State by the QUEENS COURIER STAF editorial@queenscourier.com @queenscourier The Empire State will receive $3.75 million from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to help New Yorkers who suffer strokes and prevent others from becoming ▶health victims, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced on Aug. 31. “Stroke continues to be a major cause of death and disability in New York, but advances in treatment have started to make an impact on survival and recovery,” Cuomo said, pointing out that more than 6,000 people in New York succumb to strokes annually, making it the fourthleading cause of death statewide. “This funding will continue those efforts and incorporate more life-saving preventive measures into our health care system.” The grant allows the state Department of Health to expand upon its existing New York Coverdell program, which was created in 2012 through another federal grant to improve in-hospital care for acute stroke. This includes growing the program’s components on community education, emergency medical services, and transitions of care, as well as addressing stroke risk factors such as high blood pressure, tobacco use, high cholesterol and poor medication adherence. Additionally, the funding will be used to help identify and address gaps in care between the transition from ambulance to hospital, and then from hospital to home. Ultimately, the goal is to find ways of reducing mortality, readmission and disabilities resulting from stroke. New York was one of nine states to receive funds from the Paul Coverdell National Acute Stroke Program for a state program and is in the midst of a five-year project that will ultimately establish comprehensive systems of care for stroke within five regions of the state. Since 2012, the program has made significant improvements in elements of hospital care for acute stroke, most notably by increasing the timely delivery of the only FDA-approved treatment, called tissue plasminogen activator, from 41.3 percent to 61.3 percent. Strokes and transient ischemic attacks, which are known as mini strokes, account for more than 49,000 hospital discharges every year. While rates of stroke mortality have declined significantly in New York over the past decade, nearly 15 percent of adults hospitalized for stroke in New York die in the hospital or within 30 days of admission. Nearly 16 percent of stroke patients are readmitted, and more than 60 percent of adults living with stroke report having a disability. For more info about stroke, visit http://www.health.ny.gov/facilities/ hospital/stroke_centers/stroke_ resources.htm. WINNER 3 YEARS IN A ROW Alpha Care Supply Accessibility Solutions Specialist Serving NYC Metro Area for 20 years Ramps of every type and application Stairlifts - Interior and Exterior Wheelchair Vertical Platform Lifts ADA Bathroom Remodels Residential Elevators Fully Insured and Properly Licensed Call Alpha Care Supply for all your ADA & Accessibility needs 516.568.3010 www.aplhacaresupply.com 21 Stringham Avenue, Valley Stream, NY 11580 New and Used Rentals
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