Ethnicity and Stroke

The Black & Asian Stroke Survivors (BASS) Project was launched in 2021 to address the disproportionate impact of stroke on Black and South Asian communities in the UK. Research shows that individuals from these communities are at significantly higher risk of stroke and are more likely to experience strokes at a younger age compared to others.

Despite this, Black and South Asian stroke survivors remain underrepresented in support services, with barriers such as limited awareness, cultural stigma, and a lack of accessible resources contributing to the gap.

The BASS Project is dedicated to raising awareness about stroke risks, improving access to culturally relevant support, and amplifying the voices of Black and Asian stroke survivors. Through education, advocacy, and collaboration with community organisations, we aim to break down barriers and ensure everyone has the opportunity to access life-saving information and recovery resources.

Learn more about how the BASS Project is making a difference and how you can get involved. Together, we can support and empower Black and South Asian stroke survivors across the UK.

Why the BASS Project Exists

Stroke is the fourth leading cause of death in the UK and the largest cause of complex disability. However, its impact is not felt equally across ethnic groups. Research has shown that Black and South Asian populations are at significantly higher risk of stroke and often experience strokes at younger ages than their white counterparts.

For example:

Increased Stroke Risk: Black individuals are twice as likely to have a stroke compared to white individuals, while South Asian communities face heightened risks as well (Stroke Association, 2018).

Younger Stroke Incidence: The average age for a first stroke is lower in Black and South Asian populations compared to the general UK population (South London Stroke Register). In Black communities, strokes commonly occur around age 62, a decade younger than the average age in white communities.

Prevalence of Specific Stroke Types: Data from the South London Stroke Register (1995–2004) indicated that Black African and Black Caribbean populations experience significantly higher rates of primary intracerebral haemorrhage (PICH) due to higher prevalence of conditions like hypertension.

Despite representing about 13% of the UK population, Black and South Asian stroke survivors account for only around 4% of Different Strokes’ beneficiaries. This highlights the need for dedicated resources and culturally appropriate support systems tailored to the unique challenges faced by these communities.

Why Black and South Asian Communities Face Higher Stroke Risk

There are several contributing factors for the increased stroke risk in Black and South Asian communities, including:

Higher Rates of Hypertension and Diabetes: Both conditions are prevalent in Black and South Asian populations and are significant stroke risk factors. Diabetes, for instance, is up to six times more common in South Asian communities (Public Health England).

Genetic Susceptibility: Certain genetic factors may predispose individuals in these communities to higher stroke risks, particularly for haemorrhagic strokes in Black populations.

Health Disparities and Barriers to Access: Limited awareness, language barriers, and cultural stigma can prevent people from accessing timely healthcare, increasing the likelihood of severe stroke outcomes.

Why the BASS Project is Important

The BASS Project addresses these disparities by promoting awareness, providing accessible information, and creating a supportive network specifically tailored for Black and South Asian stroke survivors.

By offering targeted resources, we aim to reduce these communities’ risks and support their recovery.

What We’ve Achieved So Far

Since launching, the BASS Project has:

Increased Awareness: Through community outreach and education, we’ve raised awareness of stroke risk factors in Black and South Asian communities, including through bilingual information campaigns and culturally relevant materials.

Developed Multilingual Resources: Our stroke information leaflets are available in Urdu and Gurmukhi Punjabi ensuring that resources are accessible for non-English speakers.

Strengthened Community Partnerships: We’ve built connections with local community centres, religious institutions, and healthcare providers to foster open dialogues on stroke awareness.

Created Support Networks: Our volunteer-led Black and Asian stroke survivor groups provide a safe space to connect, share experiences, and offer culturally specific support.

What’s Next for the BASS Project

In 2025 and beyond, we aim to:

Launch BASS Ambassadors roles
Broaden our resource library
Enhance representation
Continue to build community relationships
Advance collaborative research & projects

BASS Profiles: Sharing Black and South Asian Stroke Survivor Stories

Learn more about younger stroke survivors from Black & South Asian Communities.

The following profiles highlight the experiences of Black and South Asian stroke survivors, increasing awareness within their respective communities.

These stories explore the unique challenges survivors face such as barriers in accessing support. By sharing their voices, we aim to increase understanding, create connections, and ensure others see themselves reflected in the recovery journey.

Discover how Black and South Asian stroke survivors are navigating recovery and shaping a more inclusive conversation about stroke.

Want information in other languages?

We have recently been working closely with South Asian communities to produce information in other languages.

We hope to add more as the project progresses.

Want to get involved?

If you would like to get involved with the BASS Project, would like to collaborate, or if you have any thoughts or feedback on how to strengthen our work in this area we would love to hear from you! We would be especially interested to hear from Black or Asian stroke survivors who would be interested in becoming an ambassador for this work.

Please get in touch with us at info@differentstrokes.co.uk

Please note that our BASS volunteers are not available to assist third parties with research projects. If you are interested in sourcing stroke survivors for your work, please email us at info@differentstrokes.co.uk