Stroke is one of the biggest causes of death in the world — but also one of the most preventable.

Up to 80–90% of strokes could be avoided with more awareness, resources, and a firmer focus on prevention over intervention.

In this episode, we're joined by renowned stroke neurologist and public health pioneer Dr. Olajide Williams, MD, MS, whose 'Hip-Hop Stroke' movement is a shining example of enacting culturally-sensitive community-wide healthcare change.

In this episode, we discuss:

• What actually causes a stroke (and how to spot one in seconds using the 'act FAST' acronym)

• Why blood pressure is the #1 modifiable risk factor (and how stress and sleep impact it)

• How social determinants like ZIP code and health literacy shape stroke risk

• How Dr. Williams' Hip Hop Stroke campaign helped kids teach their parents how to save lives

• What every family should know about TIAs ('mini-strokes') and silent strokes

Whether stroke runs in your family, or you simply want to protect your brain, this episode could change (and save) lives.

This is... Your Brain On Stroke.

SUPPORTED BY: NEURO World. Help your brain thrive, now and into the future: https://neuro.world/

'Your Brain On' is hosted by neurologists, scientists, and public health advocates Ayesha and Dean Sherzai.

'Your Brain On… Stroke' • SEASON 5 • EPISODE 6

LINKS

Dr. Olajide Williams at Columbia: https://doctors.columbia.edu/us/ny/new-york/olajide-a-williams-md-ms-710-west-168th-street

The Hip-Hop Public Health project: https://www.hhph.org/

Carsten Ortmann

The AI-powered Podcast Player