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Researchers revealed in a recent study that in 2021, more than 3 billion people worldwide were struggling with neurological conditions. This is based on the analysis of data collected for the Global Burden of Disease, Injuries, and Risk Factor Study (GBD) 2021, with contributions from the World Health Organization (WHO).

Neurological conditions have now become the primary cause of illness and disability on a global scale. The overall impact, measured in disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), has surged by 18% since 1990. Alarmingly, over 80% of neurological-related deaths and health impairments afflict people in low- and middle-income nations, exacerbating disparities in access to treatment. High-income countries boast significantly greater access to neurological professionals, with ratios reaching up to 70 times more per 100,000 people compared to their lower-income counterparts.

Targeted interventions

WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus emphasized the urgent need for targeted interventions to alleviate the immense suffering inflicted by neurological conditions. These efforts should include improved access to quality care, treatment, and rehabilitation services. He also emphasized the need to prioritize brain health across all stages of life, from infancy to later years.

The report identifies the top ten neurological conditions contributing to health loss, including stroke, dementia, and epilepsy. It also highlights a notable increase in conditions such as diabetic neuropathy, attributed in part to the global rise in diabetes cases. Additionally, emerging factors like neurological complications from COVID-19 have swiftly become significant contributors to the neurological burden.

Efforts to mitigate these challenges are outlined in the Intersectoral Global Action Plan on epilepsy and other neurological disorders 2022-2031 (IGAP). This plan, adopted by Member States at the 2022 World Health Assembly, aims to address the longstanding neglect of neurological disorders through targeted strategies for prevention, treatment and support.