New national survey data has raised concerns that Australians from multicultural backgrounds may face higher risks of delayed stroke treatment due to lower awareness of warning signs and emergency response steps.
The 2025 F.A.S.T National Stroke Awareness Survey questioned 5,000 adults across Australia about their understanding of stroke, a medical emergency caused by either a clot or a bleed interrupting blood flow to the brain. The findings point to clear knowledge gaps among people who speak a language other than English at home, often referred to as LOTE communities.
According to the survey, LOTE respondents were about half as likely as English speakers to correctly identify two or more of the common F.A.S.T signs of stroke. Just 21 percent of LOTE respondents met that benchmark, compared with 39 percent of those who speak English at home. Awareness of the correct emergency response was also lower. Fewer than two in three LOTE respondents said they would call Triple Zero first when witnessing a stroke, the lowest result among all groups surveyed.
Exposure to health messaging also appears uneven. More than one third of LOTE respondents said they had not seen any stroke health information in their language in the past year, despite stroke remaining one of the leading causes of disability in Australia. The survey also found lower awareness in these communities of key risk factors such as high blood pressure, smoking, excess weight and lack of physical activity.
Health experts warn that these gaps can have serious consequences. Stroke requires immediate medical attention, and delays in calling an ambulance can sharply reduce the chances of recovery. With every minute that passes during a stroke, an estimated 1.9 million brain cells die, increasing the risk of long-term disability or death.
Data from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare adds further context, showing that people born in India are more likely to experience a stroke than those born in Australia. While stroke affects people from all backgrounds, the combination of higher risk and lower awareness has prompted calls for more targeted education.
Stroke Foundation chief executive Dr Lisa Murphy said the survey highlights an urgent need to reach people in the languages they understand best. She said the findings show that too many people in language-diverse communities are missing out on information that could save lives. When only around six in ten are prepared to call an ambulance and many are unsure of the warning signs, the consequences can be severe for individuals and families.
The Stroke Foundation says it is committed to addressing these gaps by expanding multilingual F.A.S.T resources, strengthening community partnerships and delivering stroke education programs led within local communities. The organisation is also seeking collaboration with cultural organisations, ethnic community groups and LOTE media to broaden the reach of stroke awareness messages.
While the survey points to areas of concern, it also provides a clear direction for action. Improving access to culturally appropriate health information could play a key role in reducing preventable harm and ensuring faster treatment when stroke strikes.
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