The World Health Organization (WHO) has raised alarm over the global inadequacy of policies addressing neurological disorders, which account for more than 11 million deaths annually and affect over 3 billion people worldwide. According to the WHO’s Global Status Report on Neurology, fewer than one in three countries has a national strategy to manage these conditions, leaving a significant portion of the global population without adequate care.
Neurological disorders now affect more than 40% of people worldwide, making them a major public health challenge. The top ten contributors to death and disability include stroke, neonatal encephalopathy, migraine, Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, diabetic neuropathy, meningitis, epilepsy, and cancers of the nervous system. These conditions not only cause mortality but also impose a substantial burden on quality of life, healthcare systems, and national economies.
Jeremy Farrar, WHO assistant director-general for health promotion, disease prevention, and control, emphasized the urgency of the issue: “With more than one in three people living with conditions that affect their brain, it is imperative that health systems respond effectively. Many neurological disorders can be prevented or treated, yet access to essential services remains limited—especially in rural and underserved areas, where people frequently face stigma, social exclusion, and financial hardship.”
The report highlights striking disparities between countries. Low-income nations have more than 80 times fewer neurologists compared to high-income countries, demonstrating a critical gap in specialized care. Furthermore, only 32% of WHO member states have implemented national policies targeting neurological disorders, and a mere 18% have allocated dedicated budgets for these conditions.
In response, the WHO urged governments to elevate neurological disorders as a policy priority, expand access to care through universal health coverage, and implement the Intersectoral Global Action Plan on Epilepsy and Other Neurological Disorders (2022–2031). Such measures aim to reduce inequalities, strengthen health systems, and enhance brain health on a global scale.
The WHO report serves as a call to action for policymakers, healthcare providers, and international organizations. Addressing the global neurological burden is not only a medical imperative but also a societal and economic one. Failure to act risks leaving billions without adequate care for conditions that are largely preventable or manageable with timely intervention.
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