According to WHO’s Global Status Report on Neurology, which was presented at the World Congress of Neurology (WCN) in Seoul, neurological disorders currently impact over 3 billion people, or more than 40% of the population.
One in three persons suffer from neurological disorders, with over 80% of cases occurring in low- and middle-income nations, according to the survey. Despite its widespread use, only a small number of nations have standalone or integrated neurology policies, few include neurological treatments in UHC benefit packages, and there is still a severe scarcity of workers, which calls for task-sharing and primary care strengthening to fill treatment gaps.
“The science is clear and the path is practical,” stated Dr. Tarun Dua of the World Health Organization. “If countries embed brain health in universal coverage, strengthen primary care, ensure access to essential medicines, reduce stigma, and invest in data systems, we can measurably improve lives—especially in settings where the need is greatest.”
Speaking live to delegates at the WCN, Dr. Dua urged a more vigorous, societal-wide effort to make brain health a national policy priority. Neurologists, legislators, and partners should unite on integrated initiatives that shift care from fragmented to coordinated, from urban specialist settings to robust, community-based primary care, Dr. Dua said, framing brain health as a crucial pillar of public health.
The study, which was symbolically and strategically unveiled at the Congress, highlights the importance of WFN and its member organizations in brain health research and advocacy globally, as well as the urgency and potential for global improvement in brain health.
“The significance of the WHO announcement coming from the World Congress of Neurology underscores the importance of neurologists playing an active role in brain health advocacy worldwide,” states Prof. Wolfgang Grisold, WFN president. “With the rising prevalence of neurological conditions, we are committed to working with WHO on real solutions, including supporting neurologists in advocacy work, in addition to training programs to help combat the severe lack of qualified health professionals, particularly in low-income countries.”
The foundation for quick improvement is the WHO’s Intersectoral Global Action Plan on Epilepsy and Other Neurological Disorders (IGAP) and brain health framework. Progress is already being made possible via implementation paths, such as WHO’s IGAP toolkit, which was created in collaboration with partners like WFN. Examples of how national societies, health ministries, and patient organizations may turn a global strategy into local outcomes include policy and coordination in Moldova, improvements in medicine access in Tanzania, and lived-experience-led road mapping in South Africa.
This acts as a global call to action to prioritize neurology and brain health in policy, especially while advancements are imminent.
“This is not a siloed agenda; it’s an integrated public-health imperative,” stated Dua.
Disclaimer:
The information contained in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as a health advice. We would ask you to consult a qualified professional or medical expert to gain additional knowledge before you choose to consume any product or perform any exercise.
