In the United States, a stroke occurs approximately 800,000 individuals annually, accounting for a large population of severe long-term disabilities (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2021). In the United States, 25% of all strokes, approximately 610,000, occur among those individuals who have already had a previous stroke, raising the risks of long-term disability (CDC, 2021). NORD (2020) reports stroke recurrence leads to poorer functional outcomes, quality of life, and increased incidence of mortality. Stroke recurrence affects a large population, so reducing secondary stroke is essential to reduce mortality and disability risks.

     Secondary stroke prevention refers to interventions and education to mitigate the risks of stroke recurrence. Secondary stroke prevention focuses on reducing the risk of stroke recurrence. Lifestyle changes can improve modifiable risk factors. Indeed, stroke education is a Centers for Medicare/Medicaid (CMS) requirement of clinicians in hospital settings. However, preventative education offered by therapists to stroke survivors, especially those with secondary diagnoses of stroke, is not optimal (Perry et al., 2020). According to Diener et al. (2020), approximately 90% of strokes are preventable and attributed to modifiable risk factors, with hypertension being the most impactful element. Hypertension, also known as high blood pressure, is the fifth leading cause of death in the United States and contributes to one-third of strokes (CDC, 2021; Diener et al., 2020). Compared with those with normal blood pressure, people with hypertension are four times more likely to have a stroke (Tibebu et al., 2021).

     There is a need for more evidence regarding practical and tangible solutions for stroke survivors (Jucket et al., 2021). Despite stroke education provided to patients in the hospital setting, as required by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid, there continues to be poor retention of stroke education (Johnson et al., 2018). Education is lengthy and can be overwhelming. Clients and caregivers must take in information on what a stroke is, the impact it had and will have on the client, the causative pathogenesis, additional risk factors, medication management, and adherence to treatment protocols. Other barriers to education for stroke prevention include lack of health literacy, interest from patients and caregivers, and time (Perry, 2020).

     Occupational therapists (OTs) know about lifestyle development, environmental modifications, and habits that can improve stroke clients’ health (Malstam et al., 2021). OTs must consider client factors to support patient autonomy when introducing necessary lifestyle changes to prevent the second incidence of strokes (Carter et al., 2020). Integrating everyday living with healthy behavior changes presents greater functional independence and quality of life (Hill et al., 2019). Optimal stroke prevention requires a balanced, integrated approach emphasizing education on stroke risk and healthy lifestyle behaviors. With knowledge of simple screening, modifiable and treatable risk factors can be managed (Diener et al., 2020).

     The Model of Human Occupation (MOHO) and Health Behavior Model (HBM) embody lifestyle management for stroke prevention. The integration of these two models can be used to develop an occupation-based program focusing on improving the relationship between disease management and self; in this case, the self is the stroke survivor. The primary focus of MOHO is to address how and why we, as humans, engage in occupational behavior. It also addresses how we modify our occupations as we interact with our environment. This dynamic, open-cycle system of human actions is an exciting model. The model states three interrelated parts to each person: volition, habituation, and performance skills (Kielhofner & Burke, 1980). HBM helps one understand the perception of self-efficacy through increased education. One of the critical elements of the HBM is to predict health-related behaviors. The model defines health behavior factors with an individual’s perceived susceptibility (risk threat), severity, benefit, obstacles to action, cues to action, and self-efficacy (Rural Health Information Hub, 2018).