Access to more neurology specialists linked to fewer stroke deaths

Having a higher concentration of neurologists and neurosurgeons in a county may mean the difference between life and death for stroke victims, says a Journal of Neurosurgery study published online Nov. 30.

Researchers evaluated federal data on stroke deaths in 3,141 counties and found an association between a higher density of neurologists and neurosurgeons and a decreased risk of death from stroke.

Having three more neuroscience specialists in a county was associated with one fewer stroke death per million population, said the study (link).