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CCU107: An intersectionality approach to evaluate the variation of statins and anticoagulants prescriptions among stroke survivors before and during COVID-19
Safe People
Organisation name
King's College London
Organisation sector
Academic Institute
Applicant name(s)
Alejandro Gonzalez-Aquines
Funders/ Sponsors
Safe Projects
Project ID
CCU107
Lay summary
One way of reducing the chances of a second stroke is through medication. For example, blood thinners (anticoagulants) and medication to lower cholesterol levels (statins). But about one out of three stroke survivors do not get these medications, with some population groups (i.e., elderly people, people from low socioeconomic backgrounds) being less likely to receive them. The COVID-19 pandemic revealed that the inequality in prescription practices was exacerbated, increasing the health inequalities gap. While it is widely acknowledged that prescription practices are influenced by the person’s characteristics (i.e., age, gender, and socioeconomic status), new research shows that the chances of not receiving medication are higher when those characteristics are combined. For example, a high-income 55-year-old White man might have a higher chance of receiving medication compared to a 75-year-old South Asian woman. This approach is called intersectionality, a critical theory that helps understand how the combination of a person’s identities overlaps to create unique experiences of privilege or discrimination. This research will study the differences in the prescription of medications to prevent a second stroke before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Understanding who is less likely to receive medication to prevent a second stroke is important to develop strategies to ensure everyone receives the care they need.
Public benefit statement
The findings will help to develop priority areas to enhance prescription practices in stroke secondary prevention and report the impact health emergencies like COVID-19 can have on prescription practices. The results of this work will have the greatest impact on stroke survivors who are not receiving medication to prevent a second stroke. In the long term, improving prescription practices will be felt by the NHS and carers by reducing recurrent strokes.
Technical summary
This project accessed the following datasets within the Trusted Research Environment(s) for CVD-COVID-UK / COVID-IMPACT: - ENGLAND: - GPES Data for Pandemic Planning and Research (COVID-19) - Hospital Episode Statistics Admitted Patient Care - Medicines dispensed in Primary Care (NHSBSA data) - Secondary Care Prescribed Medicines (EPMA)
Other approval committees
Project start date
15/10/2025
Project end date
15/10/2026
Latest approval date
18/12/2025
Safe Data
Dataset(s) name
Data sensitivity level
De-Personalised
Release/Access date
18/12/2025
Safe Setting
Access type
TRE