Abstract
Stroke is a leading cause of morbidity, mortality, and long-term disability globally. Effective management objective requires a strategic approach encompassing individual lifestyle modifications, hospital based care, health system integration emphasizing prevention, acute care, rehabilitation, and policy integration. A narrative review of literature from PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science was conducted using keywords “stroke management,” “strategic planning,” “stroke prevention,” “individual risk factors,” and “health systems.” Eligible studies focused on stroke prevention, acute management, rehabilitation, and health system interventions. This review synthesizes evidence from 62 studies published between 2019 and 2025 in English were included. Evidence was synthesized thematically. Result indicated that at the individual level, lifestyle modification, control of vascular risk factors, and adherence to preventive medications reduce stroke incidence and recurrence. Hospital level interventions such as specialized stroke units, thrombolysis, thrombectomy, and structured multidisciplinary rehabilitation improve survival and functional outcomes. At the system level, stroke registries, policy implementation, telemedicine, and workforce training enhance equity and quality of care. Barriers persist in resource-limited settings, including limited access to imaging, reperfusion therapy, and rehabilitation services. Conclusively, multilevel strategies targeting individuals, hospitals, and health systems are essential for optimizing stroke outcomes, reducing recurrence, and improving quality of life. Stroke outcomes improve most when strategies are implemented across all levels of care. Multisectoral approaches integrating prevention, acute management, rehabilitation, and system strengthening are essential for reducing global disparities and achieving sustainable improvements in stroke care.
Keywords: Stroke management, strategic planning, prevention, public health, health systems