Seeking Australians To Aid Stroke Prevention

One stroke occurs every 11 minutes in Australia. For each person who has a stroke, their lifetime cost to the economy will total $350,000, and half of that cost will be created in the first year alone, according to a report by the Stroke Foundation. Monash University is looking for volunteers to trial a new digital platform designed to reduce the risk of stroke.

Love Your Brain is a free digital platform developed by Monash University, Stroke Foundation, and the Menzies Institute for Medical Research at the University of Tasmania to empower people to take action to prevent stroke.

According to Monash University's Professor Monique Kilkenny, the platform is "designed to increase awareness of stroke risk factors and encourage simple steps towards better health – using evidence-based content via emails, text messages, or an online course."

Stroke is increasingly affecting younger people, with about one in four strokes occurring in people under 55.

The impact of stroke can include long-term disability to mental health challenges and, in some cases, death. Individuals who experience stroke may face permanent mobility issues, speech impairments, or cognitive challenges, making tasks like driving, managing finances, or even holding a conversation difficult.

And many working-age survivors struggle with fatigue, memory loss, or reduced concentration, preventing them from resuming their previous jobs and leading to financial hardship. "Given these profound impacts, stroke prevention is crucial, and raising awareness about lifestyle changes that can reduce risk is essential to protecting the health and well-being of Australians," Professor Kilkenny said.

The researchers are looking for people aged 45 or more who have never had a stroke or major heart event.

Participation involves access to the digital platform for 12 weeks and two online surveys. The time commitment is flexible and should take no more than 30 minutes per week.

Over 12 weeks, participants will receive information about stroke, hear stories from people who have had a stroke, and receive tips on how to reduce their risk of stroke.