Epidemiology and climate and geographic risk factors of stroke in the South Kazakhstan oblast

Stroke is a most frequent life threatening neurological disease and one of the most important causes of disability in Kazakhstan as well as in the whole world. Among CIS, the Kazakh Republic holds the second place after Moldova in mortality from cardiovascular diseases. Some researchers assume that official statistical data do not reflect completely the state of the problem in Kazakhstan due to the lack of representative population epidemiological studies. Optimization of primary and secondary prevention of acute disturbances of cerebral blood circulation in the South Kazakhstan oblast depends, in many respects, on the regional characteristics (a complex of natural, climate, social, everyday and ethnic factors).