OCTOBER 2026 NEWSLETTER

Newest Partners  |  Recognition Celebration  |  Focus on Central Region Data

Spotlight  |  Five States  |  Distribution  |  Information and Resources

Welcome

Congratulations to the Newest
Stroke Smart Partners!

The Stroke Smart Virginia Partner program is a way to learn about and be recognized for your Stroke Smart efforts. Any organization or business can apply! There are currently 13 Stroke Smart Partners listed on the website.

Congratulations to our New 2026 Stroke Smart Partners!

All Stroke Smart Partners receive a framed certificate, plus 50 Stroke Smart magnets, 100 Stroke Smart wallet cards, and 10 posters. In addition, they are listed on the VDH Stroke Smart Partner website.

Learn more and apply to be a Stroke Smart Partner today!

You are invited to a (virtual) Stroke Smart Recognition Celebration

You are invited to join us on Thursday November 5, 2026, at 1:00 PM to recognize and celebrate all of the Stroke Smart Partners and Stroke Smart Medical practices that have become part of the programs in 2026! We will recognize each partner and medical practice and celebrate how they worked to promote Stroke Smart. We will also share some fun announcements. We look forward to having you attend the event! 

Focus on Central Region Data

This year, each newsletter will highlight stroke data for a region of the state. The map shows the five regions and their health districts. The Central Region is the focus area for this newsletter, the location of numerous census tracts which are part of the CDC Coverdell Grant for promoting heart health and reducing stroke risk.

Figure 1. Regions and Health Districts in Virginia

Rates are used to understand the impact of stroke across the state. The rates are age-adjusted, which allows for accurate comparison across groups. Age-adjusted rates are available at the state, region, district, and locality level by age, sex, and race. Rates are calculated for every 100,000 people. A rate of 100 per 100,000 means that the event happens to 100 out of 100,000 people or 0.1% of people.

Figure 2. Stroke hospitalization rates are highest in Richmond City compared to
the Central Region and Virginia in 2024.

Stroke hospitalization rates increased in Virginia from 2022 to 2024. As you can see in Figure 2, these rates were higher in the Central Region (318.6 per 100,000 people) compared to Virginia (237.9 per 100,000 people). The stroke hospitalization rate in Richmond City declined in 2024 (335.2 per 100,000 people). However, it is higher than the Central Region and Virginia. Henrico County has a stroke hospitalization rate of 295.0 per 100,000 people; higher than Virginia’s rate.

Figure 3. Stroke hospitalization rates for Richmond City, Virginia in 2024.

As shown in Figure 3, stroke hospitalization rates for all ages 45 and over in Richmond City are similar or higher than the stroke hospitalization rate for Virginians ages 65 to 74 years. This pattern is not observed when comparing age groups in Henrico County to Virginia.

Figure 4. Stroke hospitalization rates for males and females in Richmond City,
Henrico County, Central Region and Virginia in 2024.

As shown in Figure 4, both males and females in Richmond City, Henrico County and the Central Region have stroke hospitalization rates higher than in Virginia. Among the compared groups and locations, females in Richmond City have the highest stroke hospitalization rate. Examining the rates among males, those in Richmond City, Henrico County, and the Central Region have stroke hospitalization rates that are at least 29% higher than Virginia.

Figure 5. Stroke Hospitalization Rates by Race and Ethnicity, Central Region, Richmond City, Henrico County and Virginia in 2024.

As seen in Figure 5, Black or African American experience the highest rate of stroke hospitalization throughout the Central Region, Henrico County, and Richmond City. However, Black or African Americans in Richmond City experienced stroke hospitalizations disproportionately higher than the other geographic regions pictured.

This data highlights the need for stroke education in the entire Central Region.

Have a stroke data question? Use this form to submit your request.

Spotlight: Richmond City Healthy Hearts Promotes Stroke Smart

VDH has a CDC grant to promote heart health and reduce stroke risk in certain communities, including Richmond City in the Central Region. Victoria Sanders is the VDH Cardiovascular Regional Coordinator supporting the activities described below.    Richmond City is on fire with community engagement! From July to September 2026, the Healthy Hearts Learning Collaborative team proudly distributed Stroke Smart magnets and flyers, reaching thousands of residents across some of the most vibrant, high‑traffic events in the area.

The Learning Collaborative held a lively vegan festival, where attendees explored healthy living through plant‑based cuisine. The Collaborative also hosted a heartwarming neighborhood reunion filled with families, long-time friends, and new faces eager to connect. Through these events, the Stroke Smart message found its way into hands and homes throughout the region.

The Collaborative also made a big impact at the annual physical fitness event hosted at the local high school. It was an energetic celebration of wellness that brought together students, athletes, and community members of all ages. In addition, Healthy Heart Hubs in the Central region offer trusted, easy-to-understand stroke resources to residents.

Every event was an opportunity to spark conversations, empower community members, and reinforce the life-saving message of recognizing stroke signs quickly. And with thousands of materials distributed, the momentum is only growing!

Five Stroke Smart States!

Five states now have Stroke Smart websites!  They are Virginia, Maryland, New Jersey, South Carolina and Michigan. Each state initially learned about Stroke Smart Virginia through Coverdell or another channel. They contacted Alan Stillman or the Virginia Stroke Team to learn about the program and review the VDH Stroke Smart website and materials. Subsequently, each state worked to secure a Stroke Smart proclamation issued by the governor and developed its own Stroke Smart website (see below). This impressive work has involved health systems and community partners, with each state adapting to its needs.

Here is a list of the current Stroke Smart state websites:

1. Virginia Department of Health — Stroke Smart Virginia
2. Maryland Stroke Smart Resource Center
3. Michigan Department of Health and Human Services — Stroke Smart Michigan
4. South Carolina Department of Public Health — Stroke Smart
5. New Jersey Stroke Coordinator Consortium — Stroke Smart

Looking ahead, these states will likely keep expanding their partnerships, public education, and Stroke Smart recognition efforts.

Thousands of Stroke Smart Materials Distributed Stroke Smart materials play a key role in promoting stroke awareness and education. They are a recognizable feature of the VDH stroke program. They are made available at no cost to communities and organizations thanks to a generous donation from Alan Stillman, founder of Stroke Smart and CEO of Kwikpoint. The materials are maintained and distributed by VDH.

During the 2026 fiscal year, which encompassed July 2025 through June 2026, the program distributed thousands of items, as listed below:

• Magnets: 32,100 in English and 10,850 in Spanish
• Wallet cards: 24,000 in English
• Yard signs: 461
• Posters: 1,710

If you ordered and displayed or distributed Stroke Smart materials, Thank You!

It is good practice to have a plan for how you will use Stroke Smart materials. Where will you display wallet cards and magnets, so they are accessible and interesting to your audience? Can you display posters in prominent locations, such as in windows or in public restrooms? In addition, think about how you can discuss the materials to enhance people’s understanding. Remember, the goal is to help people recognize stroke signs using B.E.F.A.S.T and know the importance of calling 9-1-1.

To see what materials are available and place an order, visit the order form.

Information and Resources

• Visit the Stroke Smart Virginia website to order free materials, print posters, view videos and more.
• NEW: Download Stroke Smart Presentation Materials.
• Become a Stroke Smart City / County.
• Learn about Stroke Smart Medical Practice and Smart Partner Recognition.
• Request Data from the Stroke Epidemiology Team: Population Health Data Request Form.
• Contact stroke@vdh.virginia.gov to join the monthly Stroke Smart Workgroup or request more information.