What We Do
Strokes are a leading cause of non-traumatic motor disability and a significant risk factor for dependency. In this context, Santé publique France is tasked with monitoring and preventing strokes.
Comprehensive Surveillance of Strokes
Santé publique France has established a stroke surveillance program based on:
The medical-administrative databases consolidated within the National Health Data System (SNDS), particularly hospitalization data from the PMSI
Medical causes of death from the Center for Epidemiology on Medical Causes of Death (CépiDc) at the National Institute of Health and Medical Research (Inserm)
The “Handicap-Santé” and “Autonomie” surveys (2021–2025) assessing the sequelae of strokes in the French adult population and describing activity limitations, social participation, and the quality of life of those affected.
The three stroke registries covering the populations of the city of Dijon (150,000 residents within city limits), Lille (227,533 residents), and the Pays de Brest region (352,319 residents), representing less than 1% of the metropolitan population. They continuously collect data on stroke cases among people aged 35 and older. A wide range of clinical data is recorded, which helps supplement the monitoring provided by medical-administrative databases, such as the assessment of severity.
Dijon Stroke Registry
Director: Professor Maurice GIROUD, MD – Full
Professor Scientific Director: Professor Yannick BEJOT, MD – Full Professor
Dijon Stroke Registry, EA4184, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Burgundy François
Mitterrand Hospital, 14 rue Paul Gaffarel, P.O. Box 77908
21079 Dijon Cedex
Lille Stroke Registry
Scientific and Administrative Director
: Professor Philippe AMOUYEL, Physician – Full
Professor Department of Epidemiology and Public Health / Inserm U1167
Institut Pasteur de Lille
1 rue Calmette 59019 Lille cedex
Phone: +33 (0)3 20 87 77 10
Fax: +33 (0)3 20 87 78 94
Email: philippe.amouyel@pasteur-lille.fr
Co-Principal Investigator of the registry: Dr. Dominique COTTEL Research and Public
Health Investigator: Dr. Jean DALLONGEVILLE
Brest Region Stroke Registry
Professor Serge TIMSIT, Physician – Full
Professor, Department of Neurology at the Cavale Blanche Hospital, Brest
University Hospital 51 Rue Professeur Langevin, 29200 Brest
Santé publique France also monitors the links between air pollution and health, including strokes.
See also: the stroke information pages and infographics on stroke warning signs and the 15 emergency number on the websites of the Ministry of Health and regional health agencies.
Preventive measures against strokes
As part of its prevention mission, Santé publique France measures, informs, and recommends appropriate preventive measures to reduce the risk of stroke, its complications, and recurrence.
Combating stroke risk factors
Santé publique France provides the general public with several websites outlining the lifestyle and dietary guidelines to follow to prevent certain stroke risk factors. These sites promote a varied and balanced diet, regular physical activity, reducing sedentary behavior, as well as limited alcohol consumption and quitting smoking.
Learn more:
Santé publique France also participates in the European joint initiative Jacardi, which aims to help European Union member states reduce the burden of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and associated risk factors.
Information for healthcare professionals
Drawing on its stroke surveillance program, Santé publique France has published several articles reporting the epidemiological data collected (reported prevalence of the disease and its sequelae, hospitalized patients, case fatality, mortality, and associated regional disparities, including those related to premature mortality and social disadvantage).
In addition, the website https://www.accidentvasculairecerebral.fr/, created by the French Society of Neurovascular Medicine, features infographics and information for healthcare professionals specifically regarding stroke:
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