The Stroke Foundation has launched, for the fourth consecutive year, its awareness campaign about stroke in passenger transport, incorporating in 2026 the collaboration of TRAM Barcelona to the support already provided by Renfe and the Metro systems of Madrid, Bilbao (Vizcaya) and Málaga.
"In stroke, acting quickly is essential," pointed out the president of the entity, Julio Agredano, who emphasized that the purpose of the initiative is to take prevention messages out of the healthcare field "and bring them to everyday spaces, such as public transport." "We want any citizen to be able to recognize the warning signs and know that, in the event of a possible stroke, they must call 112 immediately," he insisted.
Coinciding with Stroke Month and the commemoration of its World Day, on October 29, millions of users will once again encounter a message that can be decisive during their daily commutes, inviting them to learn to detect the symptoms of a stroke and know how to react. Thus, stations, trains, metros, and trams are transformed into awareness supports from which clear and practical information is disseminated on how to act in the event of a possible emergency.
A time-dependent pathology
The campaign is particularly relevant because, according to the Spanish Society of Neurology (SEN), around 120,000 new cases of stroke are recorded each year in Spain. More than 25 percent of those affected die, and two out of three survivors suffer some type of sequelae, remaining the main cause of acquired disability in adulthood in the country.
As it is a time-dependent disease, the informative action emphasizes that the sudden onset of difficulties in speaking or understanding, loss of strength or sensitivity on one side of the body, vision disturbances, balance or coordination problems, or a very intense headache that is different from usual can constitute warning signs.
In the face of any of these signs, it is essential to call 112 immediately, without waiting for them to subside or transporting the affected person by one's own means. The early activation of emergency services allows the 'Stroke Code' to be implemented and shortens the time until receiving specialized neurological care.
With the novelty that TRAM Barcelona will give prominent visibility to awareness messages through the vinyl wrapping of one of its trams, the Freno al Ictus Foundation has emphasized that its goal is to increase social knowledge about this disease and to ensure that more and more citizens are able to recognize the symptoms and act quickly.