Neurological disorders affect more than one in three persons and are the primary cause of sickness and disability worldwide.
According to a significant new study published in The Lancet Neurology, over 3 billion people globally had a neurological illness in 2021. The study of the data from the Global Burden of Disease, Injuries, and Risk Factor Study (GBD) 2021 was assisted by the World Health Organization (WHO).
Today, the most common cause of illness and impairment in the world is neurological disorders. Since 1990, the total quantity of neurological conditions-related sickness, impairment, and premature death (referred to as disability-adjusted life years, or DALYs) has increased by 18%.
Today, the most common cause of illness and impairment in the world is neurological disorders. Since 1990, the total quantity of neurological conditions-related sickness, impairment, and premature death (referred to as disability-adjusted life years, or DALYs) has increased by 18%.
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| Neurological disorders |
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There is a significant disparity in access to treatment: high-income countries have up to 70 times more neurological professionals per 100,000 people than low- and middle-income countries. Over 80% of neurological deaths and health loss occur in low- and middle-income countries.
The Director-General of WHO, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, stated that neurological disorders "rob communities and economies of human capital and cause great suffering to the individuals and families they affect." "Scaling up targeted interventions is necessary to enable the increasing number of individuals with neurological conditions to receive the necessary care, treatment, and rehabilitation," the study's findings suggest urgently. Ensuring that brain health is better understood, respected, and protected from early childhood to later life is more crucial than ever.
Stroke, neonatal encephalopathy (brain injury), migraine, dementia, diabetic neuropathy (nerve damage), meningitis, epilepsy, neurological complications from preterm birth, autism spectrum disorder, and nervous system cancers were the top ten neurological conditions that contributed to health loss in 2021.
Men are generally more disabled and experience health loss from neurological illnesses than women are, yet there are certain conditions, such as dementia or migraine, where women are disproportionately afflicted.
Men are generally more disabled and experience health loss from neurological illnesses than women are, yet there are certain conditions, such as dementia or migraine, where women are disproportionately afflicted.
Age-standardized DALY rates have decreased since 1990, although the total number of people with neurological diseases has increased or passed away from them. This indicates that population growth and longer life expectancies are the primary causes of increases in absolute numbers.
The neurological disorder with the quickest rate of growth was diabetic neuropathy. Since 1990, the number of instances of diabetic neuropathy has more than tripled worldwide, and as of 2021, there will be 206 million cases. This rise corresponds with the global rise in diabetes cases. There are currently about 23 million cases of neurological COVID-19 sequelae, such as Guillain-Barré syndrome and cognitive impairment, which were not previously recognized.
The neurological disorder with the quickest rate of growth was diabetic neuropathy. Since 1990, the number of instances of diabetic neuropathy has more than tripled worldwide, and as of 2021, there will be 206 million cases. This rise corresponds with the global rise in diabetes cases. There are currently about 23 million cases of neurological COVID-19 sequelae, such as Guillain-Barré syndrome and cognitive impairment, which were not previously recognized.
Simultaneously, as a result of better care, research, and prevention (including vaccinations), neurological burden and health loss from other conditions—such as tetanus, rabies, meningitis, neural tube defects, stroke, neurocysticercosis (a parasitic infection that affects the central nervous system), encephalitis (an inflammation of the brain), and neonatal encephalopathy—have decreased by 25% or more since 1990.
The study also looked at 20 modifiable risk factors for neurological diseases like dementia, idiopathic intellectual disability, and stroke that may be prevented.
The study also looked at 20 modifiable risk factors for neurological diseases like dementia, idiopathic intellectual disability, and stroke that may be prevented.
Up to 84% of stroke DALYs might be avoided by removing major risk factors, the two most important of which are high systolic blood pressure and indoor and outdoor air pollution. Comparably, lowering high fasting plasma glucose levels could lower the burden of dementia by 14.6% and limiting lead exposure could lower the burden of idiopathic intellectual disability by 63.1%. Smoking increased the risk of stroke, dementia, and multiple sclerosis considerably.
More money is required to enhance care, treatment, and quality of life.
The Intersectoral Global Action Plan on Epilepsy and Other Neurological Disorders 2022–2031 (IGAP), which aims to address the long-standing neglect of neurological disorders, was accepted by Member States during the 2022 World Health Assembly.
"A road plan for enhancing neurological illness prevention, early detection, treatment, and rehabilitation is outlined in the Intersectoral Global Action Plan 2022–2031. Dévora Kestel, Director, WHO Department of Mental Health and Substance Use, stated, "We also need to invest in more research on risks to brain health, improved support for the healthcare workforce, and adequate services to achieve equity and access to quality care."
"A road plan for enhancing neurological illness prevention, early detection, treatment, and rehabilitation is outlined in the Intersectoral Global Action Plan 2022–2031. Dévora Kestel, Director, WHO Department of Mental Health and Substance Use, stated, "We also need to invest in more research on risks to brain health, improved support for the healthcare workforce, and adequate services to achieve equity and access to quality care."
In order to promote brain health and prevent disease, strengthen research and data, emphasize a public health approach to epilepsy and other neurological disorders, and improve access to treatment, care, and support for those with neurological disorders, IGAP lays out strategic objectives and targets.
