Stroke is the third leading cause of death in Italy and the leading cause of disability. Every year 200,000 people fall victim to it, with severe disability consequences for survivors. And the outlook for the future is not bright: between 2015 and 2035, stroke cases in the European Union will increase by 34 percent, with a 45 percent increase in death and a 25 percent increase in permanent damage. Also on the rise will be the social costs: the disability of those who overcome the acute phase and survive for an average time of 10 years results in an expenditure of around 100,000 euros.

Can something be done? Of course: stroke is an often curable disease, as long as you arrive at the hospital within 3-4 hours of the onset of the first symptoms. Many countries, including Italy, are therefore carrying out health information campaigns aimed at citizens. But, as with other public policies, it is crucial to understand whether they work, that is, whether they produce real change. Evaluation in this is crucial: here is an example of five FAST campaigns.