What are the factors that explain the excess stroke prevalence in the US Stroke Belt?
A study by Liao et al. (2009) identified several factors that explain the excess stroke prevalence in the US Stroke Belt. These factors include higher prevalence of hypertension, diabetes, physical inactivity, obesity, and smoking. In addition, the study found that the excess stroke prevalence was more pronounced among the elderly population and those with lower levels of education and income. Furthermore, the study showed that the prevalence of stroke risk factors like hypertension, diabetes, physical inactivity, and obesity varied significantly across the region, with a higher prevalence in the south compared to the north. These findings suggest that interventions to address the risk factors associated with stroke should be tailored to the region to ensure that the interventions are effective. 