The following is a news release based on a public service campaign the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) is launching. The AAN is an association of 15,000 neurologists and neuroscience professionals dedicated to improving patient care through education and research. For a copy of the full article or for more information, contact the Communications Area at (612) 695-1940 or by e-mail at [email protected].
Stroke is a Brain Attack! Major Public Service Campaign on Stroke Unveiled
ST. PAUL, MN (December 15, 1997) A major public service campaign for television is being launched on January 8, 1998, to raise awareness of the signs and symptoms of stroke, or ìbrain attack.î
The campaign was developed by The Brain Matters Stroke Initiative, a public and professional education program launched in March, 1997, by the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) and eight partner health organizations. It is designed to teach the awareness of the signs of stroke and the need to treat stroke, or ìbrain attack,î as a medical emergency. ìEach year, approximately 550,000 Americans suffer a stroke, most of which are caused by a blood clot lodged in the brain,î said Steven Ringel, MD, president of the American Academy of Neurology. ìAnyone who sees this public service announcement will learn that the correct response is to dial 911 and get to a hospital as fast as possible.î
The entirely 3-D graphic animation PSA, which is available in :15- and :30-second spots, depicts a blood clot hurtling through an artery, accompanied by a voice-over describing the situation. The voice- over lists the possible symptomatic reactions to this event, while the viewer gets an illustration of each symptom, such as numbness and blurred vision, on a human torso.
Afterward, the PSA cuts to the point of impact and the viewer sees other blood vessels bursting and a scene of chaos, during which the voice-over says, ìA half million of us will be crippled or killed by strokes this year.î Lastly, the screen fades to black, with the exception of the words, ìStroke is a brain attack. Call 911.î
The PSA will be included in a VNR packet and will be available via satellite to television news departments between 2:00 & 2:30 p.m. EST on January 8. Television newsrooms may download the feed using the following coordinates:
Galaxy 4 (C-band)
Transponder 10
6.2 & 6.8 dual audio
In addition to the PSA, several Initiative partners are conducting stroke education programs. Most recently, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke released Rapid Identification and Treatment of Acute Stroke, which makes recommendations for improving the current systems for treating brain attack patients. Some of the recommendations include: prioritizing stroke in EMS systems as time- dependent and urgent; establishing a chain of recovery in each community; increasing understanding of stroke among emergency department personnel; implementing effective hospital stroke response systems; classifying stroke patients; implementing a comprehensive stroke plan in each hospital; and creating a continuum of acute stroke care among medical personnel.
ìThis is an exciting time for stroke education,î said Walter Koroshetz, MD, chair of AANÃs Public and Professional Information Committee, which oversees the InitiativeÃs activities. ìWe are working with organizations and individuals who are dedicated to expanding the publicÃs knowledge and understanding of brain attacks.î
Partners in The Brain Matters Stroke Initiative include the American Academy of Neurology; American Association of Neuroscience Nurses; American Association of Neurological Surgeons; American College of Emergency Physicians; American College of Radiology; American Heart Association; American Society of Neuroimaging; National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke; and the National Stroke Association.
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