National Stroke Week

Can I remind honourable members and, indeed, all Australians, that this is National Stroke Week? Stroke is a major killer of Australians. More people die from stroke than they do from breast cancer, for women, and prostate cancer, for men. Indeed, on average, stroke claims the lives of 24 Australians every day. And it doesn't discriminate according to age or gender or any other circumstances. Anyone of any age can have a stroke.

It's also devastating for the thousands of people who survive a stroke, not to mention their families, their colleagues, their workmates and their personal networks. The impact of stroke is life changing and creates an immense reliance on our health system. It's estimated, for example, that post-stroke cost is something like $6 billion in public funding every year.

But there is good news, and that is that stroke can be treated. I remind people of the acronym FAST. If you suspect someone has had a stroke, look at their face. Has their mouth drooped? Look at their arms. Can they lift both arms? Is their speech slurred? If they have any of these characteristics, then time is of the essence. Dial 000, get them medical attention and get them to hospital immediately. For more information, go to strokefoundation.org.au for those interested in this subject.

House of Representatives, August 3, 2021