Abstract
I write this editorial in the midst of some of the most rapid changing times most of us have ever experienced in our life time. The global financial crisis has caught the world and us unawares and the impact will be felt globally in a way that is hard to predict. World leaders including the newly appointed American President Obama, are grappling with a problem of unprecedented proportions and endeavoring to collaborate across the world stage. The stroke world will not be immune from a number of differing perspectives ranging from a possible change in patterns of research funding in a number of countries, to increased pressure on global health care services particularly in developing countries. Given the known association between socioeconomic status and stroke incidence we may see an unfortunate increase in stroke incidence, whether this occurs, remains to be seen because as there is little or no incidence data to determine whether the great depression triggered by the 1929 financial crisis had this effect.
This edition of IJS contains a pleasing array of articles from all points of the globe; from Iran to Singapore. We have tried to include a broad spectrum of topics which will be of interest to readers from different parts of the world. Pierre Amarenco provocatively questions as to whether we are all hypo-statinaemics? While, Prasad highlights the enormous implication of publication bias and how this may have an untoward effect on patients as a consequence.
Other important topics touched upon include depression, a provocative article on vaccination, and our continued commitment to Clinical Trial Protocols, with the Genetics of cervical artery dissection.
World Stroke Day continues to gain momentum and is recognized on October 29 each year. We have a wonderful example in this edition of a coordinated effort in four locations across India; an inspiration to everyone as to what can be achieved by working together to draw attention to the world's second most common cause of death. Our ability to alter this state of affairs should not be underestimated!
We are interested to hear about World Stroke Day in your region this coming October 29, 2009, please e-mail