Image Text:

SPEAKING UP: Baroness Floella Benjamin and Chizzy Akudolu

BARONESS FLOELLA Benjamin and former Holby City star Chizzy Akudolu are calling on black people of African and Caribbean origin to participate in a new survey by Public Health England (PHE) in conjunction with black and Asian media, to understand the current levels of knowledge about stroke.

The survey is designed specifically for black and Asian communities and will run during PHE’s Act F.A.S.T. campaign.

Stroke is now the fourth largest cause of death in England and black people are at a higher risk than their white counterparts due to high blood pressure, diabetes and sickle cell being significant factors.

Baroness Floella Benjamin who is committed to improving the community’s understanding of the risks and signs of stroke, said: “The black community is at a higher risk of having a stroke and are more likely to have a stroke at a younger age therefore it’s important we recognise the signs and know how best to respond when we see them in ourselves or others so more lives can be saved.

“I would urge members of the black community to take advantage of this unique opportunity to play a direct role in helping PHE to understand whether the message is getting through to our community.”

Actress Chizzy Akodolu who is featured in the stroke Act F.A.S.T. film added: “The stroke Act F.A.S.T. campaign reminds people of the key signs of stroke and the importance of calling 999 immediately if they notice any single one of the signs in themselves or others.

This survey will make us all think about what we know about stroke and hopefully will encourage us to find out more information that we can share with our family and friends. All you have to do is answer a few simple questions, it only takes a few minutes.”

Professor Julia Verne, Public Health England Director, commented: “We are committed to ensuring that those at risk of stroke recognise the signs and know what to do if they notice any single one of the signs so that we can improve chances of survival.

We’d like to encourage as many African and Caribbean people as possible to complete the survey to help us understand current levels of knowledge of our Act F.A.S.T. messages.”

The survey can be completed online at: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/strokesigns#VOICE and will close on 28 February 2018.

>Read every story in our hardcopy newspaper for free by downloading the app.