Challenge

Native Americans suffer strokes at higher rates than the general population, and lower rates of stroke awareness combined with geographical isolation from healthcare resources have conspired to create a potentially deadly problem within Montana’s Indian nations. How to reduce the risk?

Banik Solution

• Our Stroke Storm Watch campaign was created to inform Native Americans of the seriousness of strokes, their causes and symptoms, ways to control risk factors for stroke, and most importantly, how to recognize if a person has had a stroke and how to get them immediate treatment.
• The campaign used culturally appropriate symbolism and images to convey the seriousness of the threat of stroke, and appropriate responses to a potential stroke.
• Campaign elements included a 30-second television spot, newspaper ads, billboards, and a brochure with detailed information. Traditional media provide an effective means of reaching Native Americans, particularly for the highly concentrated reservation populations. Media were placed throughout the Flathead Indian Reservation in western Montana.