HHS HealthBeat (April 28, 2008)

Location, location, location

From the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, I’m Ira Dreyfuss with HHS HealthBeat.

Location is important in real estate, and also when you look at where diseases are most common.

A report finds stroke hospitalization rates are highest in the Southeast.   

The “Atlas of Stroke Hospitalizations among Medicare Beneficiaries” maps hospitalizations for African-Americans, Hispanics and whites by county. 

The atlas also says 21 percent of counties had no hospital.

Stroke symptoms include sudden numbness or weakness in the face or limbs, trouble speaking, trouble seeing in one or both eyes, dizziness, trouble walking, and a severe headache.

At the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Dr. Robert Merritt advises:

“Getting treatment within 60 minutes can prevent disability.  If you think you, or someone you know, is having a stroke, you should call 911 immediately.” (8 seconds)

Learn more at hhs.gov.

HHS HealthBeat is a production of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.  I’m Ira Dreyfuss.

Last revised: April, 25 2008