Maastricht, NetherlandsMay 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — A new study presented today at the 2026 European Stroke Organisation Conference (ESOC) reveals that after decades of decline, stroke incidence is rising again, driven by higher rates among certain ethnic minority populations and concentrated in socioeconomically disadvantaged groups.
These findings reflect broader patterns observed in diverse urban populations internationally, pointing to widening health inequalities and underscoring the urgent need to improve uptake of cardiovascular risk programs across all socioeconomic and ethnic groups.
This 30-year analysis examined differences in stroke risk among various ethnic and socioeconomic groups in a population of 333,000 in South London, where 7,726 people suffered a stroke. After a 34% decline between 1995–1999 and 2010–2014 (from 198 to 131 cases per 100,000 people), stroke risk increased by 13% between 2020–2024.
Throughout the study period, incidence rates were consistently higher in these groups, with the highest rates observed among those experiencing socioeconomic deprivation.
Compared to white participants, Black African and Black Caribbean individuals were more likely to have hypertension (47% and 29% higher prevalence, respectively) and diabetes (92% and 123% higher, respectively), both of which increase stroke risk. Notably, 12% of Black African patients had no diagnosed risk factors before their stroke, compared to 6.3% of white patients, indicating gaps in early detection.
Intracerebral hemorrhage—a severe and often fatal stroke subtype—showed the greatest ethnic inequality, with differences between Black African, Black Caribbean, and white populations more pronounced than for other stroke subtypes.
Lead researcher Dr. Camila Pantoja-Ruiz from King’s College London noted that these inequalities persisted even after adjusting for clinical severity, socioeconomic status, and other clinical factors. Additional analyses found that Black stroke survivors, particularly Black African survivors, were less likely to receive timely follow-up care, with Black African survivors having a 34% lower likelihood of follow-up.
Furthermore, Black Africans experienced stroke on average 10–12 years earlier than white individuals. These findings highlight the critical need for early prevention and targeted interventions.