The American Heart Association's American Stroke Association is set to transform stroke care in Hawaii through a $6.8 million initiative designed to create a more integrated and effective statewide healthcare response. The project, supported by a $5.8 million grant from the Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust and $1 million from the American Heart Association, aims to address critical gaps in stroke treatment across the Hawaiian Islands.
Stroke represents the third leading cause of death in Hawaii and the primary source of disability, making this initiative crucial for improving patient outcomes. The program will connect 24 hospitals, including seven certified stroke centers, six community hospitals, and nine critical access hospitals, to develop a coordinated and comprehensive stroke care system.
Governor Josh Green emphasized the initiative's significance, highlighting its potential to deliver lifesaving care to rural communities. The program will focus on creating a seamless network that includes emergency medical services, hospitals, rehabilitation facilities, and government agencies to ensure rapid and effective stroke treatment.
Key components of the Mission: Lifeline Stroke initiative include improving public awareness about stroke risk factors, developing a coordinated emergency medical services network, training hospital staff in stroke treatment, and establishing standardized care protocols. Additionally, the program will address higher stroke mortality rates among Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders through culturally authentic education resources.
The initiative builds on similar successful programs funded by the Helmsley Charitable Trust in other states, which have committed over $96.7 million to the American Heart Association's mission since 2010. By implementing quality standards and enhancing coordination, the project aims to significantly improve stroke patient outcomes and reduce long-term disabilities across Hawaii.
