CAMC Finds Link Between Stroke Deaths and Income in Service Area

A study conducted by the Charleston Area Medical Center Health Education and Research Institute and West Virginia University found a relationship between income and the risk of dying from a stroke.

The pilot study was conducted by looking at stroke deaths in the Charleston Area Medical Center’s coverage area between 2008 and 2016.

The study sorted stroke deaths during this time by zip code in an effort to find clusters where there was a higher rate of fatalities. CAMC found significant clusters in parts of their coverage area where income was lower than the state’s average.

The study was conducted to see where the largest need for medical resources is in the face of rising health problems among the state’s population.

CAMC has three hospitals in the Charleston area and one hospital in Hurricane.

In the interest of transparency, we should note that CAMC is an underwriter with West Virginia Public Broadcasting.