Stronger Policy, Better Recovery: Bridging Gaps in Stroke Rehabilitation

Stroke continues to be one of the top causes of lasting disability in the U.S., and although medical advancements have occurred, the frameworks established to assist individuals recovering from strokes still fail to meet patient requirements. A new policy statement According to the American Heart Association, an unwavering advocate driving progress in global health, significant shortcomings in U.S. stroke recovery programs have been identified, along with necessary changes in public policies and evaluation metrics aimed at promoting top-quality patient treatment. The policy update was released today in Stroke .

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One of the costliest health issues reimbursed by Medicare today is stroke. The financial strain caused by strokes is projected to grow over five times from 2020 to 2050, rising from $67 billion to $423 billion, representing the biggest rise in expenses compared to other forms of heart-related illnesses.

Although the financial strain of strokes continues to increase, availability of stroke rehab services is frequently influenced by factors other than medical necessity, resulting in significant disparities linked to race, location, type of health coverage, and income level. Certain individuals, particularly those living in remote regions, encounter major challenges when trying to obtain after-hospital recovery programs, which increases the difference in functional abilities between stroke survivors in city versus country settings.

"According to clinical guidelines issued by the American Heart Association and the American Stroke Association, discharge planning and rehabilitation choices should be determined by the functional requirements of a stroke patient," stated Nneka L. Ifejika, MD, MPH, FAHA, who serves as a volunteer for both the American Heart Association and the American Stroke Association, chairs the committee responsible for drafting the policy statement, and holds the position of Chief Scientific Officer at Ochsner Health System in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Nevertheless, studies indicate that non-medical elements such as the scale and reach of a hospital system, a patient’s insurance type, and the presence of rehab providers throughout acute stroke treatment may restrict access to suitable care, leading to worse results and increased expenses over time.

The official document details important steps aimed at enhancing treatment for strokes, such as:

Cutting-edge research that mirrors the actual difficulties faced during stroke rehabilitation by focusing on studies centered around patients, considering the requirements of caregivers, mental well-being, and long-term effects like overall life satisfaction, returning to employment, and reintegrating into society.
Create a nationwide data system to monitor the use of rehabilitation services, associated expenses (both direct and indirect), and patient results among various population groups and healthcare environments.
Assess and contrast different rehabilitation approaches based on their medical success and financial efficiency to identify which methods are most effective for individuals recovering from strokes.
Examine how broader influences—including medical insurance availability, location, healthcare infrastructure, and financial structures—affect the effectiveness of rehabilitation services and patient healing, with the aim of enhancing treatment outcomes.
Improve care collaboration and patient release preparation through increased employee education and considering the specific requirements of individuals and their family members across different societal and financial situations.

Recovery after a stroke shouldn't vary based on someone's ZIP code, their insurance coverage, or the cultural awareness of their medical team, as emphasized by Ifejika. 'All individuals who have had a stroke deserve an assessment for top-notch, personalized rehab services, and they should have fair access to post-hospital care when necessary,' she stated.

The American Heart Association strives to promote public policies at both national and local levels aimed at establishing effective care systems for stroke patients, encompassing therapy and restoration.

The official statement was developed by the volunteer drafting team representing the American Heart Association Advocacy Coordination Committee. Policy statements from the American Heart Association outline the organization's stance on matters related to public policy that affect heart health and death rates, direct our efforts in advocating across different governmental levels, enable us to back significant initiatives undertaken by others, and provide information to decision-makers, healthcare providers, medical experts, researchers, journalists, and the general population.

More information: Nneka L. Ifejika and colleagues, Enhancing Availability of Stroke Rehabilitation and Recovery: A Policy Statement from the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association, Stroke (2025). DOI: 10.1161/STR.0000000000000493

Supplied by the American Heart Association

This narrative first appeared on Medical Xpress .