Abstract DP209: Disproportionate Reversal of Ischemic Stroke Mortality Decline in U.S. Postmenopausal Women Compared with the General Population, 1999–2023

Background: Ischemic stroke (IS) is a leading cause of death in U.S. women. Mortality declined in the early 2000s but recent evidence suggests a disproportionate reversal. Postmenopausal (PM) women face unique vascular risks, yet national trends in this group remain underexplored. We examined ischemic stroke mortality by race/ethnicity and age. Methods: We analyzed IS deaths in U.S. women aged ≥55 years (proxy for PM) from 1999–2023 using CDC WONDER multiple cause-of-death data (ICD-10 I63). Age-adjusted mortality rates (AAMR) per 100,000 were calculated with the 2000 U.S. standard population. Temporal trends were assessed with Joinpoint regression, reporting annual percent change (APC) with 95% confidence intervals (CI), with significance set at p