The World Health Organization (WHO) posted a call to action for better neurological care around the world after publishing their first Global status report on neurology.
According to WHO, the following neurological diseases are the top 10 contributing to death and disability since 2021: stroke, neonatal encephalopathy, migraine, Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, diabetic neuropathy, meningitis, idiopathic epilepsy, neurological complications linked to preterm birth, autism spectrum disorders, and cancers of the nervous systems.
Just over half (53%) of WHO’s Member States participated in the report. WHO says this is “an indicator of the limited attention given to neurology.”
Additional key data from the report:
- >1 in 3 people have a neurological condition
- <1 in 3 countries have neurology policies in place
- Low-income countries have a shortage of neurologists
- Less than a quarter of WHO Member States allot funding to neurology
- 75% of Member States exclude neurological conditions from their universal health coverage benefit packages
- Many countries don’t offer assistance to caregivers
WHO is calling for countries to better their neurological care and prevention plans. They pointed to the Intersectoral global action plan on epilepsy and other neurological disorders to aid countries. They emphasized, “Without action, the burden of neurological disorders will continue to rise, deepening global health inequalities.”
