More than 1 in 3 people worldwide live with brain disorders: Report

One in three people worldwide is living with conditions that affect their brain while 11 million lives are lost every year due to neurological disorders according to a new report by the World Health Organization WHO on TuesdayStroke neonatal encephalopathy migraine Alzheimerrsquos disease and other dementias diabetic neuropathy meningitis idiopathic epilepsy neurological complications linked to preterm birth autism spectrum disorders and cancers of the nervous system were identified as the top 10 neurological conditions contributing to death and disabilityThe report stated that while these neurological conditions now affect more than 40 per cent of the global population less than one in three countries around the world has a national policy to address the growing burden of neurological disordersAlarmingly lowincome countries have more than 80 times fewer neurologists compared to highincome nations despite the high burden of these diseasesMany low and middleincome countries also lack national plans budgets and workforceldquoWith more than 1 in 3 people in the world living with conditions affecting their brain we must do all we can to improve the health care they needrdquo said Dr Jeremy Farrar WHO Assistant DirectorGeneral Division of Health Promotion Disease Prevention and ControlldquoMany of these neurological conditions can be prevented or effectively treated yet services remain out of reach for most ndash especially in rural and underserved areas ndash where people too often face stigma social exclusion and financial hardship We must work together to ensure we put patients and their families first and that brain health is prioritised and properly invested inrdquo Farrar saidThe report based on data from 102 countries showed that 63 countries have a national policy addressing neurological disorders but only 34 reported having dedicated funding to address themWithout strong policy frameworks health systems remain fragmented underresourced and illequipped to meet the needs of patients and familiesFurther essential services were also found out of reach for most people with only 49 countries including neurological disorders in their universal health coverage benefit packagesCritical services such as stroke units pediatric neurology rehabilitation and palliative care are frequently lacking or concentrated in urban areas leaving rural and underserved populations without access to lifesaving and lifesustaining careThe WHO has urged governments to make neurological disorders a policy priority through bold leadership and sustained investment expand access to neurological care through universal health coverage and health system strengtheningThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever