"The prevalence of stroke in Indonesia has reached 10.9 per mile nationally, based on Basic Health Research data from 2018," director of prevention and control of non-communicable diseases at the ministry Eva Susanti noted at the 2022 World Stroke Day media gathering here on Tuesday.
Stroke is the second-highest cause of death in the world, and the leading disease in Indonesia requiring the most expensive treatment, she said.
According to her, the high prevalence of stroke has been influenced by four transitions in the public domain.
The first transition is related to epidemiology: the transmission of many infectious diseases such as COVID-19 has not yet stopped, but cases of non-communicable diseases have continued to increase, she explained.
The second transition is demographic. Currently, the government is striving to improve the public healthcare system that is based on age groups.
The third transition is related to technology, which is progressing very rapidly. The ease of accessing various applications for food delivery and transportation services has led to an increase in sedentary lifestyles.
The convenience provided by technology has led to people performing fewer physical activities and staying at home more.
The last transition is related to the economic, social, and cultural aspects. Economic growth, which affects the needs of each individual's life, impacts the level of stress experienced.
To prevent stroke, the Ministry of Health is expanding early detection in primary health settings through blood measurement and electrocardiography (ECG).
Another preventive effort has involved educating people about healthy lifestyle habits, such as getting routine health checks, eliminating/stopping cigarette smoking, undertaking routine physical exercise, eating a balanced diet, getting enough rest, and good stress management.
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Translator: Hreeloita S, Kenzu
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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