From Data to Action: Neuroepidemiology Informs Implementation Research for Global Stroke Prevention and Treatment

Area of Science:

• Neuroepidemiology integrates descriptive and experimental population science for neurological disease research.
• Focuses on frequency, distribution, determinants, and outcomes of neurological diseases globally.

Background:

• Neuroepidemiology research has progressed significantly over 25 years, impacting public health.
• Advances in high-income countries (HICs) and low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) are reviewed.
• Highlights the critical need for neuroepidemiologic data in LMICs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review progress in descriptive and experimental neuroepidemiology over the past quarter century.
• To identify evidence and implementation gaps in stroke research, burden, outcomes, and disparities.
• To discuss opportunities in comparative effectiveness and implementation research for global stroke.

Main Methods:

• Review of progress in descriptive and experimental neuroepidemiology.
• Emphasis on standards for evidence generation and critical appraisal.
• Analysis of national stroke registries and their role in research.

Main Results:

• Significant advances in neuroepidemiology, with specific progress noted in HICs and LMICs.
• Identified evidence and implementation gaps in stroke research, burden, and care.
• Highlighted persistent disparities in stroke burden and care by sex, race, ethnicity, income, and socioeconomic status.

Conclusions:

• Neuroepidemiology is vital for informing global stroke prevention and treatment implementation research.
• High-quality neuroepidemiologic data from LMICs is essential to address global health inequities.
• Comparative effectiveness and implementation research offer avenues to translate insights into action and guide future research.