South London stroke surge exposes deep racial health disparities

Stroke rates in South London have risen sharply after years of decline, according to new research. Between 2020 and 2024, cases increased by 13%, reversing a 34% drop seen between 1995-1999 and 2010-2014. The findings were presented at the European Stroke Organisation Conference (ESOC) 2026 by Dr Camila Pantoja-Ruiz from King’s College London. The study analysed data from a population of 333,000 people in South London. While stroke risk had fallen steadily for decades, recent years show a worrying reversal. Researchers found the increase was driven by higher rates in ethnic minority groups and socioeconomically disadvantaged communities.

Black African and Black Caribbean populations faced more than double the stroke risk compared with White residents. Incidence rates were 2.31 times higher for Black African individuals and 2.00 times higher for Black Caribbean individuals. These groups also had greater prevalence of high blood pressure and diabetes—key risk factors for stroke. Disparities were most pronounced in intracerebral haemorrhage, a severe and often deadly stroke type. Black African survivors tended to experience strokes a decade earlier than White patients, on average. Follow-up care was also less timely for Black survivors, particularly those of African descent. The study revealed that 12% of Black African patients had no diagnosed risk factors before their stroke, compared with 6.3% of White patients. This suggests gaps in early detection and prevention for these communities.

The findings underscore the need for earlier prevention and targeted support to reduce stroke inequalities. Without intervention, disparities in risk, care, and outcomes are likely to persist. Researchers stress that addressing these gaps could help reverse the recent rise in stroke cases.