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Review
. 2025 Aug;15(8):e70575.
doi: 10.1002/brb3.70575.

Demographic Disparities in Stroke Occurrence: Insights From an Integrative Review of Emerging Trends

Gudisa Bereda  1
Affiliations
Review

Demographic Disparities in Stroke Occurrence: Insights From an Integrative Review of Emerging Trends

Gudisa Bereda. Brain Behav. 2025 Aug.

Abstract

Background and objectives: Stroke continues to be a major global health challenge, with notable differences in its occurrence across various demographic groups. This review aimed to investigate trends in stroke occurrence, focusing on disparities related to age, sex, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and geographic location.

Methods: A thorough review of the literature was conducted using prominent databases such as PubMed, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and Scopus. Studies published between 2015 and 2025 that examined stroke in relation to demographic factors were included. Articles were selected based on relevance, study design, and the rigor of the research methodology. Both qualitative and quantitative studies were included in the synthesis. The data were synthesized qualitatively to highlight significant trends.

Results: This review revealed that age is a key factor in the occurrence of stroke. Stroke prevalence increases with age, particularly in individuals aged 65 years and older. Gender differences in stroke risk are evident-men tend to have higher stroke risks at younger ages, whereas women face a greater risk later in life, especially after menopause. Ethnic disparities are also significant, with African Americans and Hispanics experiencing a higher risk of stroke compared to Caucasians. This increased risk is influenced by genetics, socioeconomic factors, and a higher prevalence of hypertension and diabetes.

Conclusion: Demographic disparities significantly affect both the occurrence and outcome of stroke. Addressing these disparities requires comprehensive approaches, including enhanced access to preventive care, culturally sensitive health education, and targeted policies aimed at high-risk groups.

Keywords: age; demographic disparities; ethnicity; geographic trends; prevalence; socioeconomic status; stroke.

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Conflict of interest statement

The author declares no conflicts of interest.

Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
The HBM triangle to explore stroke occurrence trends based on demographic factors.
FIGURE 2
FIGURE 2
The SDH theory clarifies causal pathways between demographic factors and stroke occurrence.
FIGURE 3
FIGURE 3
The prevalence of stroke in different age groups across different regions.
FIGURE 4
FIGURE 4
The prevalence of stroke in different genders across regions.
FIGURE 5
FIGURE 5
The prevalence of stroke in different ethnicities across regions.
FIGURE 6
FIGURE 6
The prevalence of stroke in different geographical locations across regions.
FIGURE 7
FIGURE 7
The prevalence of stroke in different cultural and behavioral factors across regions.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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