Stroke is the fifth leading cause of death in the United States, but people can reduce their risk with lifestyle changes, according to keynote speakers at the 24th Annual Rural Health Conference.
Managing blood pressure and cholesterol, maintaining a healthy diet, exercising regularly, getting enough sleep, using alcohol in moderation and not smoking are key, said Dr. Thomas Patton, a neurologist with Alabama Neurology and Sleep Medicine in Tuscaloosa.
“Prevention is the best medicine,” he said.
The focus of the Nov. 10 conference was stroke and vascular disease. The annual event is hosted by The University of Alabama College of Community Health Sciences and its Institute for Rural Health Research and held at the Bryant Conference Center on the UA campus.
The conference is attended by health-care providers, researchers, community leaders, and policymakers who hear from prominent speakers in the field and share information and knowledge about rural health issues.
In addition to Patton, keynote speakers included: Dr. Camilo Gomez, professor of vascular and interventional neurology at the University of Missouri-Columbia; Dr. Jiaqi Gong, associate professor of computer science at UA; and Glenn Davis, director of CCHS’s Emergency Medical Services Program.
Patton’s presentation, “Stroke: Better Left Unseen,” highlighted the ongoing impact of strokes. He explained that strokes occur when blood flow to the brain is blocked or reduced. Symptoms can include weakness on one side of the body, speech difficulties, dizziness or loss of consciousness.
Patton said neurologists use tools like CT and MRI scans to diagnose strokes and determine their severity.
Gomez, discussed advances in neuroendovascular rescue during his presentation, “Neuroendovascular Rescue 2025: Trends in Stroke Endovascular Therapy.” Neuroendovascular rescue, often called stroke endovascular therapy, is a procedure in which a catheter is guided through an artery to remove clots and restore blood flow.
Gomez said technological improvements and evolving techniques now allow treatment for up to 24 hours after stroke symptoms begin. “The combination of advanced imaging, improved patient selection, and optimized care before and during procedures is dramatically improving outcomes,” he said.
Gong’s presentation, “AI for Rural Health: Transforming Care and Education Together,” outlined how artificial intelligence can support rural health systems. He said AI can help improve health outcomes by connecting providers with patients in rural areas and by reducing barriers, such as transportation and lack of resources. He emphasized the importance of secure, customized AI models in health care and noted the potential for future innovations to support patient behavior and streamline treatment.
Davis addressed emergency response and triage in his presentation, “Severity-Based Stroke Triage (SBST) and EMSA Routing in Alabama.” He explained how the state’s emergency medical system has evolved to prioritize patients with severe strokes, using the Emergency Medical Stroke Assessment to identify symptoms and determine hospital routing.
“Time is critical in stroke care,” Davis said. “Every moment counts when transporting patients to the right facility.” He noted that Alabama’s regional network, including UAB Hospital as a comprehensive stroke center, has improved outcomes by enabling rapid treatment for patients with large-vessel strokes.