UTHealth Stomp Out Stroke Festival

The seventh annual Stomp Out Stroke Festival is hosted by The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston and has been rescheduled to Saturday, June 8.

Houstonians are encouraged to find out more about stroke by attending the seventh annual Stomp Out Stroke Festival, hosted by The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth).

The free, fun event, which has been rescheduled to Saturday, June 8 (due to rain), at Discovery Green’s Jones Lawn, will provide lifesaving information about stroke prevention and treatment, free health screenings, and family-friendly entertainment. The festivities are organized by the UTHealth Institute for Stroke and Cerebrovascular Disease. Registration remains open here and those who have already registered do not need to do so again.

Stroke occurs when blood flow to the brain is interrupted by a blockage or a rupture in an artery, depriving brain tissue of oxygen. It is the fifth leading cause of death in the U.S. and the leading cause of adult disability, according to the National Stroke Association. Nearly 800,000 people each year experience a new or recurrent stroke – one every 40 seconds. Stroke is on the rise among younger adults, with 15% of ischemic strokes, the most common type, occurring in young adults and adolescents.

Carotid ultrasound, cholesterol, glucose, body mass index, body fat percentage, obstructive sleep apnea, memory, and stroke risk are among the health screenings and risk assessments offered at the event. Education topics include stroke in women, stroke prevention and treatment, brain imaging, the brain on drugs, and healthy brain aging.

UT Physicians, the clinical practice of McGovern Medical School, will be providing blood pressure and bone density screenings. McGovern Medical School students will be providing adult and child vision screenings and UTHealth School of Dentistry will be offering child dental screenings. All screenings are at no cost.

The Children’s Zone will feature an inflatable brain exhibit, nutrition and fitness stations, information on concussions, and helmet and bike safety. Face painting, balloon art, and a moonwalk are among the planned festivities. Stage entertainment will include live ice sculpting, ballet folklorico dancing, Latin fitness, and a host of live music performances.

Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospitals is the title sponsor and THINK Specialists for Kids is the stage sponsor.