Counter Stroke Fiji is focusing its efforts this month on high-stress workplaces, highlighting the often-overlooked warning signs linked to strokes, including high blood pressure and unmanaged stress levels. The organization has initiated a campaign aimed at raising awareness about stroke prevention, particularly targeting financial institutions that are known for their pressure-filled environments.
Assistant Secretary Margaret Round emphasized the importance of educating financial sector employees about lifestyle choices and their broader impact on families and communities. “What we want to do is educate the people in the financial sector so that they look inward at how their lives are,” Round stated, noting that their approach is part of a larger mission to prevent strokes through education and early intervention.
This push for awareness comes on the heels of recent findings that stroke is the third leading cause of death in Fiji, as highlighted in related discussions during World Stroke Day celebrations. Counter Stroke Fiji’s president, Elizabeth Reade Fong, has previously pointed out alarming statistics indicating that strokes account for approximately 81 deaths per 100,000 people, ranking just behind diabetes and ischemic heart disease. Additionally, one in three Fijians has been diagnosed with diabetes, a condition that significantly heightens the risk of stroke.
Through its campaign, Counter Stroke Fiji seeks to spark meaningful conversations about stroke risks in offices and communities, empowering individuals to understand that strokes are not solely medical emergencies but can often be prevented with proactive measures. This initiative aims to provide hope and encourage healthier lifestyle choices that could ultimately diminish the incidence of strokes within Fiji’s population.
Community engagement and education are crucial in addressing this pressing health concern, and with initiatives like these, there is a positive outlook for a healthier future for all Fijians.
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