This policy brief, authored by NCD Alliance, World Stroke Organization and American Stroke Association, focuses on stroke as a major contributor to the increasing burden of NCDs in society and the urgent need to implement effective, affordable and widely applicable strategies to prevent and treat stroke before, during and after its occurrence. It also provides key recommendations for healthcare providers, policymakers and civil society on advocacy and implementation to improve the response to stroke and NCDs. These recommendations are based on a comprehensive approach across the stroke continuum of care as part of working towards Universal Health Coverage (UHC).