This resolution officially designates May 2025 as American Stroke Month to raise awareness about stroke prevention, treatment, and the critical need for rapid response systems.
Ben Luján
Senator
NM
This resolution officially designates May 2025 as American Stroke Month to raise national awareness about the severity of strokes. It supports improving systems of care, increasing education on prevention and warning signs like F.A.S.T., and advancing research. The goal is to reduce stroke-related death and disability across the United States.
May 2025 Designated 'American Stroke Month' to Boost Awareness of F.A.S.T. Signs and Rapid Care
This resolution officially designates May 2025 as "American Stroke Month." While resolutions like this don’t change the law, they act like a national spotlight, focusing federal attention and resources on a specific public health issue. The core purpose here is to ramp up awareness and support for better stroke prevention, treatment, and research across the country.
The Urgency: Why We Need a Spotlight
Let’s get real about the numbers: a stroke happens every 40 seconds in the U.S., making it a leading cause of death and long-term disability. This resolution highlights that when you’re talking about a stroke, time is brain tissue—the faster a person gets professional medical help, the better their chances are for survival and recovery. The text emphasizes that treatment success hinges on a quick, accurate diagnosis by a pro, which means we need better, more consistent systems of care in place.
F.A.S.T. and the Everyday Connection
For the busy person juggling work and family, this resolution’s biggest takeaway is the renewed push for education on risk factors and warning signs. It reminds us that high blood pressure is a huge, controllable risk factor affecting nearly 1 in 2 adults. More importantly, it reinforces the F.A.S.T. acronym: Face drooping, Arm weakness, Speech difficulty, and Time to call 911. Knowing these signs isn't just medical trivia; it’s the difference between a full recovery and permanent disability for someone you know.
Supporting Smarter Healthcare
Beyond awareness, the resolution reaffirms the national commitment to supporting ongoing stroke research and ensuring access to quality, affordable care to reduce long-term disability. This means that when you or a loved one has a stroke, the healthcare system should ideally be standardized to deliver the proven medical steps every single time. It’s a nod to the fact that better outcomes require not just individual awareness, but also a well-oiled, rapid-response medical machine ready to go when that 911 call comes in.