Objective: To assess age, racial, and regional differences in utilization of physician, hospital outpatient and emergency department services related to stroke over the past six years. Methods: This study was a retrospective analysis of the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NAMCS) and the National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NHAMCS) from 2000¨C2005. Ischemic stroke related visits in persons aged =45 years were identified using diagnosis codes (ICD 9 CM) 433.1x, 434.xx, and 436.xx. Visits per/1000 persons were calculated using United States population estimates. With logistic regression, we adjusted associations between stroke-related visits and age, race, and region (Northeast, Midwest, West, and South), for sex, stroke risk factors, insurance type, and survey year. Results: From 2000 to 2005, stroke-related ambulatory care visits increased significantly from 8.3/1000 persons to 16.1/1000 persons (P Trend=<0.0001)¨Crepresenting a 195% rise in stroke related ambulatory care visits over a 6 year period. Although all age groups demonstrated an increase in stroke-related visit rates during the study period, the 55-64 year age group had the most significant rise. Among persons aged 55-64 years, stroke-related visit rates increased from 9.1/1000 persons to 39.1/1000 persons (P Trend=<0.0001), resulting in a 428% rise. After adjustment, greater odds of stroke visits were found in persons =55 years (55-64 years OR=3.4, 95%CI: 2.3-5.0; 65-74 years OR=4.1, 95%CI: 2.7-6.2; =75 years OR=5.4, 95%CI: 3.6-8.2) (age 45-54 referent), blacks (OR=1.4, 95%CI: 1.0-2.0), men (OR=1.5, 95%CI: 1.2-1.9), or persons in the South (OR=1.6, 95%CI: 1.2 -2.1). Conclusion: From 2000 to 2005, stroke-related ambulatory visits increased significantly in the United States, particularly among the near-elderly, Southern residents, and blacks. These age, regional, and racial disparities in outpatient stroke utilization are not explained by stroke risk factor prevalence. Health care resource allocation needs to target these high-risk groups.