Andrew Southcott (Boothby, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Next week is National Stroke Week. I am joining the National Stroke Foundation to shine the spotlight on stroke and educating the community on its signs and on how to minimise the risk of stroke. I would like to commend the work done by the National Stroke Foundation and its CEO, Dr Erin Lalor, who I have worked with over the last few years on a number of initiatives including my ongoing push for integrated health checks in primary care.

Stroke is one of Australia's biggest killers and a leading cause of disability. On average, there is a stroke in Australia every 10 minutes. In South Australia last year, 4,500 people suffered a stroke; 1,000 of those died. There are currently almost 37,000 stroke survivors living in our state. The total financial costs of stroke in Australia were estimated to be $5 billion each year.

This year, more than 3,000 activities are expected to be held across country ranging from awareness morning teas, displays and talks to personal and team challenges and health checks. Throughout September I encourage all Australians to take action to reduce your stroke risk, learn more about stroke and help raise stroke awareness in the community. Firstly, be aware of what stroke is, how to recognise a stroke and what to do—face, arms, speech, time. It is on the website. Live healthy to reduce the risk of a stroke and get a regular health check which can reduce the modifiable risk factors.