UMBRELLA supports the 2024 World Stroke Day campaign
UMBRELLA supports the 2024 World Stroke Day campaign
To mark World Stroke Day on 29th October, UMBRELLA conducted a campaign across its social media platforms, featuring insights from four experts in stroke care.
Since its inception in 2006, 29th October has been recognised as World Stroke Day, an essential opportunity to raise awareness about stroke, a leading cause of death and disability affecting over 10 million survivors across Europe. This year, UMBRELLA was proud to contribute to the global dialogue surrounding stroke prevention, treatment, and recovery.
To honour this significant day, UMBRELLA produced a special video featuring insights from prominent experts driving advancements in stroke care. The video includes contributions from Dr Carlos Molina, Head of the Stroke Research Group at VHIR; Frank Berger, Global Head of Acute Stroke Treatment at Siemens Healthineers; Hanno Herrmann, Global Head of (Secondary) Stroke Prevention at Siemens Healthineers; and Dr Mira Katan, Head of the Stroke Unit at the University Hospital of Basel.
“The important challenges in stroke care are awareness and education of stroke symptoms, access to care, and timelines in stroke treatment. It has to be as fast as possible” said Mira Katan, Head of the Stroke Unit at the University Hospital of Basel.
Some of the key insights from these experts on World Stroke Day include:
“Personalised, data-driven care for stroke patients”
Dr Carlos Molina emphasised the significance of collecting real-world data to build an interconnected, data-driven care system that enhances every stage of stroke care—from pre-hospitalisation to post-recovery. Dr Molina stated, “I envision the future of stroke care as a data-driven healthcare ecosystem. Decisions will be made based on data, helping us identify the right treatment for the right patient, in what we call personalised treatment.”
“AI-powered technologies enabling faster, more effective patient care”
Frank Berger highlighted the central role of AI in accelerating early stroke diagnosis by optimising communication between paramedics, hospitals, and healthcare teams, ensuring that patients reach appropriate treatment facilities faster for better outcomes. Berger explained, “The role of industry partners in UMBRELLA is to provide technologies that either help patients directly or support the development of AI models,” emphasising the importance of reducing time to treatment and delivering coordinated, effective care when every second matters.
Harnessing data to prevent recurrent strokes
Hanno Herrmann explained how comprehensive data collection throughout the stroke pathway enable healthcare providers to identify precise treatment needs, helping to prevent recurrent strokes through targeted interventions. He noted that UMBRELLA platforms are designed to facilitate AI development for stroke care: “The U-platform will provide secure data access across hospitals, while the F-platform will host AI algorithms trained on this data.” These platforms allow healthcare providers to identify patterns, causes, and interventions that can prevent second strokes, adding a vital layer to personalised patient care.
The importance of awareness and speed in accelerating stroke response
Dr Katan underscored the urgent need for rapid response, accurate diagnosis, and specialised care: “The important challenges in stroke care are awareness and education about stroke symptoms, access to care, and treatment timelines. It has to be as fast as possible.” Quick treatment is essential, as even brief delays can have lasting effects on a patient’s recovery. “Time is brain,” said Dr Katan.
In recognising World Stroke Day, UMBRELLA reaffirms its commitment to making every second count. Through pioneering advancements in AI and data integration, UMBRELLA is shaping a future where rapid, personalised, and effective stroke care is accessible to all.
