The World Health Organization (WHO) has revealed that a significant number of people—around one in three—are living with neurological diseases, and unfortunately, many countries are not prepared to handle this situation effectively.
According to the WHO’s Global status report on neurology, about 40% of the global population struggles with neurological problems, translating to over 3 billion individuals. Alarmingly, 11 million people lose their lives each year to these conditions.
The leading causes of death and disability related to neurological diseases in 2021 included strokes, neonatal encephalopathy, migraines, Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, diabetic neuropathy, meningitis, epilepsy, complications from premature births, autism spectrum disorders, and various cancers impacting the nervous system.
What’s particularly striking is the disparity in the availability of neurologists, especially in low-income countries, which have more than 80 times fewer specialists compared to high-income nations.
Dr. Jeremy Farrar, WHO’s Assistant Director-General, highlighted the gravity of the situation, stating, “More than one in three people around the world live with a disease that affects the brain, so we must do everything we can to improve the health care they need.” He pointed out that many neurological diseases are preventable or treatable, yet essential services remain inaccessible for many, particularly in rural areas that often face stigma and economic hardships.
Currently, only 63 member states have established national policies to address neurological diseases, and just 34 countries report having dedicated funding for this issue.
The report found that neurological conditions are included in universal health coverage in only 49 countries, leaving many without access to critical services.
Moreover, essential services such as stroke care, pediatric neurology, neurorehabilitation, and palliative care are either lacking or largely unavailable, especially in urban settings, compounded by a shortage of qualified healthcare professionals.
There’s also a lack of continuous care for neurological conditions, which places an overwhelming burden on informal caregivers, primarily women, who often receive little support.
In light of these findings, the WHO has made several recommendations, urging an expansion of access to neurological treatments, the development of policies focused on neurological diseases, and the promotion of overall brain health.
