The World Health Organization (WHO) warns that more than three billion people worldwide suffer from neurological conditions. These conditions contribute to over 11 million deaths each year. Neurological disorders now affect over 40 percent of the global population. Yet, less than one-third of countries have policies addressing these diseases.
The WHO’s first-ever Global Status Report on Neurology underscores an urgent need for investment and coordinated action. This aims to improve brain health services globally.
The Top Neurological Conditions Impacting Global Health
Neurological diseases causing the highest disability and mortality include stroke, neonatal encephalopathy, migraine, and Alzheimer’s disease and dementias. Other major contributors are diabetic neuropathy, meningitis, epilepsy, complications from preterm birth, autism spectrum disorders, and nervous system cancers.
These conditions pose tremendous challenges, particularly in low- and middle-income countries where access to diagnosis and treatment is severely lacking.
Stark Inequities in Neurological Care Across Countries
Low-income countries have more than 80 times fewer neurologists per capita than high-income countries. This situation exacerbates the burden of disease among vulnerable populations. Many nations lack national plans, dedicated budgets, and adequate health workforce capacity. Therefore, they struggle to tackle the increasing burden of neurological disorders.
Under-resourced health systems struggle to provide timely diagnosis, essential treatments, rehabilitation, and specialist care to patients suffering from brain diseases.
Limited Policy and Financial Commitment
Only 32 percent of countries surveyed reported having a national policy targeting neurological disorders. Furthermore, only 18 percent have allocated a budget specifically for this challenge.
A quarter of member states include neurological disorders within their universal health coverage (UHC) benefit packages. This leaves many patients uncovered. Critical services like stroke units, pediatric neurology, rehabilitation, and palliative care remain unavailable. These services are often concentrated in urban centers, excluding rural and marginalized communities.
The Social and Economic Burden Beyond the Clinic
Neurological diseases often require lifelong care, placing substantial financial and emotional tolls on families and caregivers. Only 46 countries reported offering carer support services. Additionally, 44 have laws protecting carers’ rights, mostly informal and unpaid women caregivers.
Stigma, social exclusion, and economic hardship commonly worsen the lives of neurological patients and their families, perpetuating inequities worldwide.
WHO Intersectoral Global Action Plan: A Roadmap for Change
In 2022, WHO member states adopted a comprehensive plan addressing epilepsy and other neurological disorders to reduce their impact. This plan aims to promote brain health. The action plan seeks to strengthen policy prioritization, improve timely care, and expand health promotion. Moreover, it enhances disease prevention efforts globally.
Better data systems, monitoring frameworks, and inclusion of lived experience voices are critical components. These shape more effective and equitable neurological care.
Urgent Calls for Stronger Leadership and Investment
WHO urges governments worldwide to recognize neurological disorders as a policy priority. This requires bold leadership and sustained funding. Expanding access to neurological care requires improving universal health coverage. It also means building resilient, community-based health systems capable of comprehensive neurological services. Promoting brain health throughout life with integrated, multisectoral public health actions will help. Such actions mitigate risk factors and enhance protective measures.
Improving Data, Surveillance, and Research
Weak health information systems and chronic underfunding in research undermine evidence-based policy development. They also affect service delivery in many countries. Enhanced global efforts to collect reliable neurological health data will enable better planning. This includes resource allocation and accountability for neurological disease management.
Investment in research must prioritize context-specific innovations, especially in low- and middle-income countries facing the largest care gaps today.
Prioritizing Brain Health for a Better Future
Neurological disorders already affect one in every three people worldwide. Without urgent action, the health inequities and burden will worsen. Strengthening brain health must become a global public health priority. This ensures access to prevention, care, and support for millions currently underserved.
With coordinated leadership, targeted funding, and inclusive policies focused on patients and caregivers, the world can begin to reverse. We can address the growing neurological disease crisis.
WHO’s Global Status Report on Neurology is a clarion call. Therefore, the time to act—to save lives, reduce disabilities, and protect human dignity—is now.
