Stroke rates rising with Black people being hit hardest - why this matters for kidney health
- News Team | African Caribbean Kidney Education Enterprise
- May 11
- 3 min read
Updated: May 13
Stroke Rates Rising With Black People Being Hit Hardest
Stroke rates are rising again after years of decline, according to major new research presented at the European Stroke Organisation Conference (ESOC) 2026 and Black people are being hit the hardest. The study found that Black African and Black Caribbean communities are disproportionately affected, with higher stroke rates, earlier strokes and lower follow-up care compared with White populations.
High blood pressure and diabetes could be silently increasing stroke risk in African Caribbean households right now.
Researchers also found that high blood pressure and diabetes, two conditions already affecting many African Caribbean people, are playing a major role in increasing stroke risk.
Researchers analysed stroke data from 1995 to 2024 involving 7,726 stroke patients in South London. Although stroke rates fell by 34% between the late 1990s and early 2010s, rates have now increased again by 13% since 2020.
The increase is being driven by widening ethnic and socioeconomic inequalities.
The study found African Caribbean and Black African populations had significantly higher stroke rates compared with White populations.
People living in socioeconomic deprivation were also more affected.
📩 Stay updated with essential kidney health information
tailored for the African Caribbean community
Why it matters
A stroke can lead to:
Disability
Speech and mobility problems
Kidney complications
Heart complications
Loss of independence
Premature death
Many stroke risk factors overlap with conditions already disproportionately affecting African Caribbean communities, including:
High blood pressure
Type 2 diabetes
Chronic kidney disease
Cardiovascular disease
Key points
Stroke incidence increased by 13% between 2020–2024
Black African populations had more than double the stroke risk compared with White populations
Black Caribbean populations also had twice the stroke risk
Black African people experienced stroke around 10–12 years earlier on average
High blood pressure prevalence was 47% higher in Black African populations
Diabetes prevalence was 123% higher in Black Caribbean populations
Black African stroke survivors had 34% lower odds of receiving follow-up care
Important Stats
Approximately 1 in 3 adults in England has high blood pressure
African Caribbean adults are at significantly higher risk of hypertension and type 2 diabetes
High blood pressure is one of the leading causes of stroke and kidney disease
Diabetes can damage blood vessels in both the brain and kidneys over time
Why this matters for kidney health
Kidney disease and stroke are closely linked because both are strongly connected to blood pressure, diabetes and cardiovascular health.
When blood vessels are damaged, it affects the kidneys as well as the brain and heart.
People living with chronic kidney disease are at higher risk of:
Stroke
Heart attack
Heart failure
Many people may not realise kidney disease can develop silently for years before symptoms appear.
High blood pressure is one of the leading causes of kidney failure
Diabetes is the most common cause of chronic kidney disease in the United Kingdom
Kidney disease often has no symptoms in the early stages
“There are many African Caribbean people living with conditions like high blood pressure and diabetes without fully understanding how connected they are to stroke and kidney disease. This is why awareness and early prevention could save lives.” - Candice McKenzie, Founder & Director, African Caribbean Kidney Education Enterprise® (ACKEE)
IF YOU ARE CONCERNED
If you are concerned about your blood pressure, diabetes risk or the impact these conditions may have on your health, speak to your GP or local pharmacist for advice.
Ask them about:
Blood pressure checks
Kidney health checks
Diabetes screening
Cholesterol testing
Stroke risk assessments
What action can you take today?
A | Ask your GP for a kidney function test
C | Check your blood pressure and blood sugar levels to avoid hypertension and diabetes
K | Keep healthy habits including movement, hydration and balanced nutrition
E | Educate yourself about how stroke, heart disease and kidney disease are connected
E | Engage with ACKEE and your community Got a question? Send us a message. Follow us on social media: @wearetheACKEE on Facebook and Instagram. Engage with your community and share this information. Encourage them to make healthier lifestyle choices.
Stroke rates are rising with Black African Caribbean Communities being hit the hardest. What conversations should we be having with our family and friends right now about prevention and health checks?
How you can support ACKEE:
Share – Share this blog and ACKEE’s work to raise awareness about kidney health
Donate – ACKEE’s work is only possible thanks to champions like you. Make a donation today. Your generosity helps ACKEE provide education and resources to the African Caribbean community.
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