BEIJING - A campaign will be launched to check high-risk groups for cerebrovascular accident, or stroke, in more than 200 cities, the Ministry of Health has announced.

A sample survey conducted in 2008 found that cerebrovascular disease was the leading cause of death in China, with its incidence rate increasing by 8.7 percent annually.

On Monday, also World Stroke Day, Vice-Minister Ma Xiaowei said, "Chronic diseases -- notably cerebrovascular accident, heart diseases and high blood pressure -- have been severely affecting people's health in recent years, and an increasing number of people suffer and die from strokes especially."

In addition to screening, Ma revealed that more than 30,000 professionals will be trained on the prevention and treatment. The government will also provide more hospitals with screening and treatment equipment for the disease.

Figures from the ministry show that 30 percent of people suffering stroke attacks die subsequently. Some 70 percent of stroke survivors suffer varying degrees of disability such as hemiplegia or aphemia.