Fanzines for a local celebration of the World Stroke Day 2023.

Stroke is a neurological deficit attributed to an acute focal injury of the central nervious system, due to an arterial occlusion (ischemic stroke) or an arterial rupture (hemorrhagic stroke) (Institut Català de la Salut de Barcelona Generalitat de Catalunya, 2022). It provokes the loss of function in the brain areas affected. It is one of the most common neurological acquired diseases, being the first cause of disability in the world (Sociedad Española de Neurología, 2020). A large majority of strokes can be prevented through lifestyle changes, so primary prevention education of the population is essential. Regarding the secondary prevention (after an event happens), it differs depending on the subtype of stroke but preventing cardiovascular disorders with actions such as avoiding sedentarism, taking care of our diet, and quitting toxic habits are common points in the etiology of acquired neurological vascular disease (Pla Director de la Malaltia Vascular Cerebral, 2022). Beyond oral counseling, paper flyers are commonly used in consultation to give health advice to patients and to the general population. Graphic Medicine makes possible the use of visual formats to teach healthy habits to people. An example of a visual medium are fanzines, a “do it yourself” possibility to spread your health messages and to explore visual possibilities of communication. This fanzine aims to frame the changes in a patient's life after suffering from stroke and how to prevent new events and complications. It is directed towards patients, family, and general population concern.