New data shared today from the Stroke Action Plan for Europe (SAP-E) Stroke Service Tracker (SST) provides “the clearest picture yet of stroke care across Europe”, as per a joint press release from the European Stroke Organisation (ESO) and Stroke Alliance for Europe (SAFE). Drawing on data from 49 countries, the findings confirm “real progress” in some critical areas but also reveal gaps in access to treatment, major weaknesses in quality data, and a geographic divide that leaves many people without the care and support they need.
The recently updated SAP-E for 2018–2030 and a supporting set of key performance indicators now tracked through the SST set out how countries can strengthen stroke services, measure progress, and accelerate improvement across the whole pathway of care.
“The 2024 data show progress is possible, but too many countries are still falling behind on stroke unit care and follow-up,” said Hanne Christensen (University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark), past chair of SAP-E. “With stroke survivors at high risk of having another stroke, we must also put secondary prevention and follow-up firmly on the agenda. With six years to the SAP-E 2030 deadline, every country must use the SST data to identify gaps and take targeted action to deliver timely, equitable, high-quality stroke care.”
The latest SST data—from 2024—highlight “persistent inequities” in stroke care across Europe, with many southern and eastern European countries lagging behind others. While some countries deliver strong results through effective organisation and evidence-based care, “major gaps remain”, the release continues, adding that missing or low-quality data are also a “serious concern”, as they can often signal weaker care systems, making it harder to see “the true scale of the challenge”. According to the ESO and SAFE, strong national stroke registries are “essential” to enable improvement and accountability.
The release goes on to highlight several areas in which “Europe is doing well”, including primary prevention plans, treatment with mechanical thrombectomy, early rehabilitation, and early supported discharge, but also draws attention to a number of areas where improvements across the continent are needed—including rates of stroke unit admission, timely treatment access, and sufficient secondary prevention. More detail on these points can be seen in the tables below.
“Behind every statistic is a person, and too many people affected by stroke still can’t access the right care,” commented SAFE director general Arlene Wilkie. “The gap in stroke unit care, rehabilitation and follow-up is unacceptable. We urge governments and health systems to act on these data now.”
“The SAP-E gives all European countries the tools to improve stroke care,” added SAP-E chair Francesca Romana Pezzella (San Camillo Forlanini Hospital, Rome, Italy). “The latest data show we are moving in the right direction in some areas, but we still have a long way to go. We urge every country to harness the power of the SST data, and take decisive steps to close the gap between the best and the rest.”