1. ~Aphasia~ A national disease that no one has ever heard of…
A Study in Public Awareness of Aphasia at 20 Hospitals in Florida
Thomas G. Broussard, Jr., Ph.D. Stroke Educator, Inc. 541 Domenico Circle, St. Augustine, FL

2. Aphasia Awareness
The most common cause of aphasia (when you lose your language) is stroke (about 25-40% of stroke survivors acquire aphasia). It can also result from head injury, brain tumor or other neurological causes.
 Aphasia affects about two million Americans and is more common than Parkinson’s Disease, cerebral palsy or muscular dystrophy. Nearly 180,000 Americans acquire the disorder each year. However, most people have never heard of it. (National Aphasia Association)

3. Florida Hospitals
20 Hospitals (18 in one system), new owner/name, January 2019.
16 Hospitals indicate NO info about aphasia, 4 Hospitals indicate SOME info but new owners (with new website) no longer provide ANY info about aphasia.
Aphasia awareness is a huge issue, Aphasia in North America white paper.
Very few hospitals/staff advertise info about aphasia in materials or their website.

4. Recommendations
A “Services & Treatments” list that includes aphasia info, services and treatment at every site.
Integrate “Aphasia” into all hospitals “search box” at the website.
Contact your local hospitals and provide presentations about aphasia, recovery & the need for awareness of aphasia at their website.
Contact your regional healthcare & govt. resources (AHA, United Way, COA, County Health officials, etc.) and provide presentations about aphasia, recovery & the need for awareness of aphasia at their website.

5. Recommendations
5. Contact educational and business resources (CoC, public schools, private schools, colleges, businesses, etc.) and provide presentations about aphasia & awareness.
6. Approach AMA through Aphasia Access, National Stroke Association and National Aphasia Association to connect with hospital & doctor networks with a plea for more aphasia awareness in the community through their websites.
7. Suggest a Johnny Appleseed of Aphasia Awareness type-award with a letter, certificate and website “thumbnail” award to the hospital President to increase awareness of aphasia in the community.
8. Contact Stroke Educator, Inc. (Tom Broussard) for any connections who might be interested in a presentation on aphasia, recovery, and aphasia awareness.

6. Johnny Appleseed of Aphasia Awareness
Thomas G. Broussard, Jr., Ph.D.
Johnny Appleseed of Aphasia Awareness