The World Health Organization (which) today warns that less than one in three countries around the world has a national policy to tackle the growing weight of neurological disorders, responsible for more than 11 million deaths worldwide each year. Who is new World Status Report on Neurology Traffic today shows that neurological conditions now affect more than 40% of the world population – over 3 billion people.
The top 10 neurological conditions contributing to death and disability from 2021 were a stroke, neonatal encephalopathy, migraine, Alzheimer’s disease and other anony They may be able to deal with nervous systems.
Low -income countries have more than 80 times less neurologists compared to high -income nations despite the high weight of these diseases. Many low and medium income countries do not have national plans, budgets and workforce. Who urges urgent, based on evidence and coordinated global action to prioritize brain health and extend neurological care.
With more than 1 in 3 people in the world living with conditions that affect their brain, we need to do everything we can to improve the health care they need. Many of these neurological situations can be avoided or treated effectively, but services remain far away for most – especially in rural and inadequate areas – where people often face stigma, social exclusion and financial difficulties. We need to work together to ensure that we first put patients and their families and that brain health is prioritized and invested properly. ”
Dr. Jeremy Farrar, who Assistant General Manager, Health Promotion Department, Prevention and Disease Control
Basic findings from the report
The first report stresses that only 53% of its Member States (102 countries since 194) contributed to this report-an indicator of the limited attention given to Neurology. Only 32% of Member States (63 countries) have a national policy addressed to neurological disorders and only 18% (34 countries) report that it has committed funding to deal with them.
Without strong policy frameworks, health systems remain fragmented, degraded and poorly equipped to meet the needs of patients and families. While public awareness campaigns and defense efforts are making progress, there is still a significant room for their strengthening-to reduce their stigma, accelerate reform and ensuring that millions receive the care and recognition they deserve.
Basic services are away for most people. Only 25% of Member States (49 countries) include neurological disorders in provider providing provider supply packages. Critical services, such as stroke units, pediatric neurology, rehabilitation and consolation are often deprived or concentrated in urban areas, leaving rural and degraded populations without access to life and life care.
The report reveals a serious lack of specialized health professionals, with low -income countries facing up to 82 times less neurologists per 100,000 people compared to high -income nations. This lack means that for many patients, early diagnosis, treatment and continuing care are simply away.
Neurological conditions often require lifelong care. However, only 46 Member States offer caregivers and only 44 Member States have legal protection for care. As a result, informal carers – most often women – remain without recognition or support, enhancing social inequalities and putting significant economic pressure on families.
Wealthy health intelligence systems and chronic subjective funding of research-especially in low and medium-income countries-do notice the decision-making based on evidence and preventing the design of effective policies for neurological disorders.
Action Map for Action
In response to these increasing public health challenges, the Member States adopted the Plan of Interactive Division of Epilepsy and Other Neurological Disorders In 2022 to reduce the burden and effect of neurological conditions.
The Action Plan provides countries with a course map to enhance policy priority, ensure early and effective care, including promoting health and disease prevention, improving data systems and involvement of people with live experience in more comprehensive policies.
Without action, the weight of neurological disorders will continue to grow, deepening global health inequalities. Who urges governments to:
- make neurological disorders a policy priority through intense leadership and continuous investment;
- Expand access to neurological care through universal health coverage and strengthening the health system.
- It promotes brain health throughout the course of life with coordinated cross -sectional action aimed at key risks and protective factors. and
- Strengthening data systems and monitoring for decision making and accountability.
