TRENTON, NJ — As part of an ongoing campaign focusing on public employee health and wellness, the New Jersey Departments of Personnel (DOP) and Health and Senior Services (DHSS) are urging stroke prevention education through the Working Well New Jersey campaign. 

In conjunction with American Stroke Association (ASA), free stroke screenings for state employees will be conducted today by the St. Francis Medical Center stroke assessment team at the Department of Personnel building in Trenton (44 South Clinton Avenue).  Representatives from the DHSS and St. Francis will also provide information on stroke prevention and risk factors to public employees. 

The presentation and screening is being held in May to coincide with American Stroke Awareness Month.  According to the ASA — a division of the American Heart Association — a stroke is a blockage of blood flow to the brain, caused by either a clogged or ruptured blood vessel.  Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the United States, and a leading cause of serious, long-term disabilities. 

In New Jersey, 4,016 people died in 2002 from stroke, making it the third leading cause of death.  More New Jersey women (2,430) than men (1,586) died that year of stroke. 

“Working Well New Jersey was created to bring critical, life-saving information to public employees, our State government’s most valuable resource,” said Commissioner of Personnel Rolando Torres, Jr.  “We are proud to partner with DHSS, the American Stroke Association, and St. Francis Medical Center to highlight the need for preventative screenings and education.”

“On average, eleven people die from a stroke every day in New Jersey, a number that can be dramatically reduced with proper screening and preventative care,” said Commissioner Fred. M. Jacobs, M.D., J.D.  "We are using Working Well NJ to provide our state employees with information and resources on how to reduce the likelihood of stroke for themselves and their family members."