In 2022, the World Stroke Organization released two new reports regarding global stroke statistics in the International Journal of Stroke. The reports updated the global incidence and mortality of stroke, evaluated the effects of gender and geographic factors, and provided updated statistics on attributable risk factors associated with stroke. This article briefly interprets the two reports in the context of stroke prevalence and disease burden in China. 2019 Global Burden of Disease Study findings show that stroke remains the second-leading cause of death and the third-leading cause of death and disability combined in the world. From 1990 to 2019, the burden (in terms of the absolute number of cases) increased substantially, with the bulk of the global stroke burden residing in lower-income and lower-middle-income countries. Moreover, people under 70-year-old were observed to have significant increases in stroke prevalence and incidence. The five major risks for stroke globally include high systolic blood pressure, high body mass index, high fasting glucose, environmental particulate matter pollution, and smoking. Stroke prevention and treatment in China are facing great challenges. Stroke has become the leading cause of death and disability among Chinese adults, as well as the leading cause of disability adjusted life year lost. The incidence, prevalence and mortality of stroke in China are geographically high in the north, low in the south and prominent in the central part of the country; the prevalence is higher in rural areas than that in urban areas; the morbidity and mortality rates are higher in men than those in women; the average age of onset is lower than in developed countries; the overall disease burden of ischemic stroke is on the rise, but that of hemorrhagic stroke is on the decline. The awareness of stroke prevention and treatment was low. In conclusion, it is of strategic importance to actively establish a graded stroke prevention and control system that meets the national conditions.
