A groundbreaking study published in The Lancet Neurology has unveiled a concerning trend: more than 3 billion people worldwide were living with neurological conditions in 2021. Conducted as part of the Global Burden of Disease, Injuries, and Risk Factor Study (GBD) 2021, the World Health Organization (WHO) contributed to this comprehensive analysis.

Neurological conditions have now emerged as the leading cause of ill health and disability on a global scale. Since 1990, the overall burden of disability, illness, and premature death attributed to neurological conditions has surged by 18%.

Alarmingly, over 80% of neurological deaths and health losses occur in low- and middle-income countries, where access to treatment remains significantly limited. Disparities are stark, with high-income countries boasting up to 70 times more neurological professionals per 100,000 people than their low- and middle-income counterparts.

Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, emphasized the profound impact of neurological conditions on individuals, families, and communities, highlighting the urgent need for targeted interventions to enhance access to quality care, treatment, and rehabilitation.

The top ten neurological conditions contributing to health loss in 2021 include stroke, neonatal encephalopathy, migraine, dementia, diabetic neuropathy, meningitis, epilepsy, neurological complications from preterm birth, autism spectrum disorder, and nervous system cancers.

While neurological conditions generally inflict more disability and health loss in men, certain conditions such as migraine and dementia disproportionately affect women.

Since 1990, the absolute number of individuals living with or succumbing to neurological conditions has surged, driven primarily by demographic shifts and increased life expectancy. Notably, diabetic neuropathy has witnessed the most rapid growth, tripling globally since 1990, closely mirroring the rise in diabetes cases. Furthermore, neurological complications stemming from COVID-19, previously nonexistent, now account for over 23 million cases.

On a positive note, advancements in prevention, care, and research have led to a significant reduction in the burden of various neurological conditions since 1990. Conditions such as tetanus, rabies, meningitis, stroke, and encephalitis have seen a decline in burden by 25% or more.

The study also underscores the importance of addressing modifiable risk factors to prevent neurological conditions. Key interventions, including the management of high blood pressure, reduction of air pollution exposure, and smoking cessation, could substantially mitigate the burden of stroke, dementia, and other neurological disorders.

In response to these findings, Member States at the World Health Assembly in 2022 adopted the Intersectoral Global Action Plan on Epilepsy and Other Neurological Disorders 2022–2031 (IGAP). This ambitious plan aims to tackle the longstanding neglect of neurological disorders by enhancing prevention, early identification, treatment, and rehabilitation efforts.

Dévora Kestel, Director of the WHO Department of Mental Health and Substance Use, stressed the importance of investing in research, healthcare workforce support, and services to achieve equity and access to quality care for individuals with neurological disorders.

IGAP sets forth strategic objectives to improve access to treatment, promote brain health and disease prevention, strengthen research and data, and adopt a public health approach to epilepsy and other neurological disorders.