HUGE COST OF STROKES

THE individual out-of-pocket healthcare costs for stroke survivors in Australia has been estimated to be $386.40 a year.

Australian researchers say this translates to $42m a year for Australians aged 55 years and over.

They found that stroke survivors had, on average, four consultations with healthcare practitioners over the previous 12 months and people tended to seek more healthcare when they were more disabled.

Stroke is one of the major leading causes of disability and death in Australia, with more than 445,000 Australians living with the effects of stroke.

It has been predicted that by 2050, the number of initial strokes experienced by Australians will increase to 50,600 annually, with 819,900 stroke survivors living in the community.