Impact of Food Insecurity and Social Factors on Stroke Recovery and Survival

Recent research highlights the significant influence of social determinants such as food insecurity, neighborhood conditions, and social support networks on stroke outcomes. Published in Neurology Clinical Practice, the study analyzed data from over 480,000 individuals who experienced intracerebral hemorrhage, a type of stroke caused by bleeding in the brain. The findings reveal that individuals facing socioeconomic hardships—like limited access to nutritious food, unsafe living environments, or weak social connections—tend to have worse recovery prospects. Specifically, food insecurity was linked to increased risks of movement impairments, need for feeding or breathing tubes, and hospital readmissions within 30 days post-stroke. Paradoxically, the same social challenges appeared to be associated with higher survival rates at three months and one year after stroke, possibly due to increased use of life-sustaining treatments or disparities in palliative care access. The study utilized U.S. Census data and participants' addresses to assess neighborhood safety, environmental quality, transportation, and community engagement. Despite these insights, the research noted limitations, including the absence of racial or ethnic data, which could influence outcomes among diverse populations. Overall, the findings underscore the complex relationship between socioeconomic factors and health, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions addressing poverty, social support, and healthcare disparities to improve stroke recovery and survival.

Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-06-food-insecurity-neighborhood-lack-social.html