Stroke care and collaborative academic research in Latin America

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Public Health
• Health Systems Research

Background:

• Stroke presents a significant and escalating health challenge in Latin America.
• Existing prevention and management strategies for stroke in the region are inconsistent and insufficient.
• There are substantial gaps in care for individuals at risk of or affected by stroke.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide a narrative overview of regional academic research collaborations in Latin America.
• To examine efforts addressing the increasing burden of stroke and care gaps.
• To highlight the role of collaborations in advancing stroke research and care.

Main Methods:

• A summary of experiences and local knowledge regarding stroke research in Latin America.
• No systematic literature review was conducted; the approach is based on existing expertise.
• Focus on narrative overview of collaborative initiatives.

Main Results:

• Clinical research is expanding through academic consortia and networks designed to overcome barriers.
• These collaborations aim to address structural, funding, and skill-related challenges in stroke research.
• Enhancing the capacity for generating, analyzing, and interpreting randomized evidence is critical for future advancements.

Conclusions:

• Regional networks facilitate multicenter studies, including randomized controlled trials, even in resource-limited settings.
• Collaborations enhance the external validity of international studies.
• These networks strengthen healthcare systems, clinical skills, critical thinking, and international knowledge exchange in stroke care.