Epidemiology of stroke in young adults: race/ethnic differences.

Stroke is the third leading cause of death and the leading cause of disability in the United States. Stroke incidence is clearly associated with advancing age. Although younger adults are at lower risk, stroke in this population has a particularly high public health impact because of associated indirect costs, such as longer years of lost productivity.There have been many epidemiological studies addressing race ethnic differences in overall stroke incidence and mortality, but few specifically examining these differences in the young adult population. There is evidence that race ethnic differences may have a greater effect on stroke incidence and mortality in young adults. An understanding of these differences may help better identify high risk populations and focus preventative strategies. Furthermore, analysis of race/ethnic differences in stroke subtypes may help clarify mechanisms of stroke in young adults and potential race-ethnic differences in early stroke risk factors.