AUTHOR=Akinyemi Rufus , Olowoyo Paul , Jones Stephanie , Adeniji Olaleye , Ogunde Gabriel , Spencer Joseph , Abd-Allah Foad , Akpalu Albert , Lightbody Liz , Yaria Joseph , Sarfo Fred S. , Naidoo Pamela , Belson Sarah , Ebenezer Ad Adams , Nasreldein Ahmed , Makanjuola Akintomiwa , Saylor Deanna , Zimba Stanley , Ojewale Lucia , Youkee Daniel , Adoukonou Thierry , Okekunle Akinkunmi , Anyanwu Benjamin , Okubadejo Njideka , Bateman Kathleen , Melifonwu Rita , Obiako Reginald , Arulogun Oyedunni , Wahab Kolawole W. , Adebayo Philip , Francis Patty , Ossu-Nguiet Paul , Charway-Felly Augustina , Ogbole Godwin , Ogun Shamsideen , Walker Richard , Gebreyohanns Mehari , Langhorne Peter , Norrving Bo , Ovbiagele Bruce , Kalaria Rajesh N. , Ogunniyi Adesola , Watkins Caroline Leigh , Owolabi Mayowa 

TITLE=Developing a strategic action plan for reducing the burden of stroke in Africa: report of the first African Stroke Leaders' Summit

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Stroke

VOLUME=Volume 4 - 2025

YEAR=2025

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/stroke/articles/10.3389/fstro.2025.1555554

DOI=10.3389/fstro.2025.1555554

ISSN=2813-3056

ABSTRACT=IntroductionStroke is a leading cause of adult neurologic disability, cognitive decline, and death worldwide, and particularly in Africa. Stroke research in Africa has exposed challenges militating against the translation of research evidence into practice and policy. The evidence-based, context-sensitive multilevel strategies required to surmount these challenges are presented in this report on the first African Stroke Leaders' Summit (ASLS) organized to tackle the burden of stroke in Africa.MethodsThe Africa–UK Stroke Partnership (AUKSP) Project had a Steering Committee (SC) and four theme-based Working Groups (WGs): stroke services, stroke training/capacity building, research and stroke advocacy, each with defined terms of reference. These groups generated 20 priorities (five per thematic area) during breakout sessions at the first ASLS which were further refined into four topmost priorities (one per thematic area) at the general consensus session.ResultsThe topmost priorities included promoting the development of acute stroke services (stroke services), strengthening population-based stroke education focusing on prevention and symptom recognition (stroke training), research on hypertension control to reduce stroke risk (stroke research), and developing national stroke action plans (advocacy).ConclusionSustained reduction of stroke burden in Africa requires the adaptation of best practices to the African context, building the capacity of African stroke care professionals and using available resources with political support. Improving stroke literacy in African communities is a complementary strategy to reinforce healthy lifestyle choices and improve screening and detection of hypertension and other modifiable stroke risk factors. This process will culminate in a strategic African Stroke Action Plan (ASAP), the blueprint for the control of stroke in Africa.