A major new analysis1 from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2021 Study shows that neurological disorders affect 1 in 2 people in the United States, highlighting the scale of the nation’s brain-health challenges and the need for stronger prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation strategies.
Published in JAMA Neurology, the study assessed 36 conditions affecting the brain, spinal cord, or peripheral nerves, including neurological diseases, neurodevelopmental and congenital disorders, systemic illnesses with neurological effects, and key infections. In a population of 332.7 million, the authors estimated 180.3 million people were living with at least one neurological disorder in 2021.
Neurological disorders were also the leading cause of disability nationwide, responsible for 16.6 million disability-adjusted life years (DALYs). The most prevalent conditions were tension-type headache, migraine, and diabetic neuropathy, illustrating how frequently neurological symptoms occur in daily life.
The conditions contributing the largest overall disability burden were:
- Stroke: 3.9 million DALYs
- Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias: 3.3 million DALYs
- Diabetic neuropathy: 2.2 million DALYs
- Migraine: 2.1 million DALYs
Although mortality from neurological disorders has fallen, disability has continued to rise. Compared with 1990, neurological years lived with disability (YLDs) increased by nearly 10%, reflecting a growing number of people living longer with chronic neurological conditions. Burden varied across the country: several Southern states had the highest levels, while parts of the Northeast had the lowest.
The World Federation of Neurology has long highlighted the need for stronger brain-health strategies through its World Brain Day campaign, calling for better prevention, more resilient health systems, improved access to neurological care, and sustained investment in research and training.
The new GBD analysis reinforces a clear message: protecting brain health is central to protecting population health, economic stability, and long-term wellbeing in the United States.
- JAMA Neurol Published Online: November 24, 2025
Doi: 10.1001/jamaneurol.2025.4470 ⧉
Source: JAMA
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