Social Determinants of Health

Stroke is a leading cause of death and disability in the United States. While preventative efforts to reduce cardiovascular risk factors and advances in acute stroke care have decreased overall stroke incidence and mortality over the past decade, disparities rooted in the social determinants of health—socioeconomic conditions, education and employment, housing and geography, access to health care, and racial/ethnic discrimination—have persisted. In this brief review, we will outline documented disparities in stroke care and opportunities for reducing inequities in clinical practice.