Every 40 seconds, someone in the United States has a stroke. Stroke is the fifth leading cause of death in the United States, and a major cause of long-term disability and disruption in the lives of Americans. Strokes can leave survivors, particularly older adults, with reduced mobility and diminished independence. Despite medical advancements to combat this serious disease, one major challenge remains: Many people fail to recognize stroke symptoms in time to seek life-saving care, and some population groups are more likely to suffer from strokes and less likely to receive prompt care.
Emergency Care Is Key
To increase understanding of the importance of getting to the emergency room (ER) early in these population groups, the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) funded a study comparing a community education program in communities with communities that didn’t have the program. Based in the South Side of Chicago, “Community Engagement for Early Recognition and Immediate Action in Stroke (CEERIAS)” is a boots-on-the-ground patient-centered comparative clinical effectiveness research (CER) study addressing the urgent need for timely stroke intervention by educating communities in Chicago, Illinois and St. Louis, Missouri about symptom recognition and the importance of seeking emergency care. Using a patient- and community-partnered approach, researchers worked closely with local residents to design a relevant and actionable educational program that combined hands-on training with printed materials.
The study found that while community education did not significantly change how quickly individuals arrived at the emergency room or used an ambulance after a stroke, it did lead to a measurable increase in ambulance use among those who suspected they were having a stroke. The study also found that some groups of people got to the ER earlier after the program than before the program. These findings suggest that people in communities with the education program were receiving emergency medical care faster — a key factor in improving stroke survival and recovery outcomes.
Taking the Evidence to the Community
Building on these findings, PCORI funded two Engagement Awards to ATW Health Solutions and the First Ladies Health Initiative (FLHI) to disseminate the study’s findings so more communities had access to stroke awareness education.
Launched at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, one of these awards adapted the CEERIAS study's community-based approach to virtual platforms. Over a 90-day period, project leads leveraged surveys, virtual meetings and social media posts to educate the community about stroke prevention, recognition and treatment.
The results were encouraging: Most participants responded positively to the virtual approach, demonstrating that community-based education could successfully transition to digital platforms. Furthermore, the findings suggested that the model could potentially be adapted to address other public health challenges beyond stroke awareness.
Expanding even further, FLHI launched the PCORI-funded “Early Access Saves Lives” program, extending the implementation of CEERIAS findings to communities in Los Angeles, California and Gary, Indiana. The faith-based initiative enlisted First Ladies — wives of church pastors — as trusted health advocates, equipping them with information to educate their congregations and communities about stroke symptoms and emergency response. Through community events, screenings, social media and radio outreach, the program aims to reach up to 70,000 people nationwide.
Patient-Centered CER Provides Valuable Insights
Thanks to the collaborative, PCORI-funded efforts of researchers and community leaders, these initiatives have not only increased stroke awareness but also provided valuable insights for future public health efforts. Guided by patient-centered CER and by emphasizing stroke prevention and early intervention, these programs are helping to reduce the long-term impact of this devastating disease.
Posted: July 30, 2025