WFN President Prof. Dr Wolfgang Grisold discusses Brain Health and collaboration in an interview with DGN, the German Society for Neurology.
Mitteilungen der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Neurologie
DOWNLOADTranslation from German:
It is an ambitious goal, to embed “Brain Health” at a global political level – this can only be achieved by working together
As its President, Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Grisold, explains, the World Federation of Neurology (WFN) has set itself the goal of promoting quality neurology and brain health worldwide. This will be achieved through training opportunities, which are aimed in particular at the underserved parts of the world, as well as through political lobbying (“advocacy”). The latter is also a challenge on a global level; professional societies like the DGN can benefit here from close networking with the WFN.
German neurology has developed very dynamically over the last decade. What does the development of the field look like internationally?
Neurological care varies greatly from region to region, and even between European countries there are significant differences: Portugal, for example, has four neurologists per 100,000 inhabitants, while in Austria it is twelve per 100,000. But the number alone does not necessarily allow conclusions to be drawn about the quality of care, as these differences are often due to systemic factors. There are, for example, healthcare systems in which patients can directly consult a specialist practice, and others in which general practitioners act as gatekeepers.
If you look outside of Europe, for example to Africa, the picture is completely different: According to WHO estimates, the number of neurologists per 100,000 inhabitants is 0.2 per 100,000. Across the whole of Africa, there are probably only 2,000 to 3,000 specialist neurologists, and most of them are active in the North African countries, that is, in the Maghreb states. In many countries in Central Africa, there are only 1–2 neurologists in total, who are often responsible for several million inhabitants. The situation is similar in many parts of Latin America and Asia. In these countries, neurology is also still often closely linked with psychiatry, meaning that the few specialists have to cover a much broader spectrum of indications than in Europe or the USA.
It is clear that with so few specialists, it is not possible to organise adequate medical care. Therefore, it can be said: The wealthier a country is and better its healthcare system is funded, the more secure the neurological care is.
What goals result from this for the WFN?
A fundamental goal is to overcome this great heterogeneity and to ensure high-quality neurological care everywhere as far as possible. For this, it is first important to highlight the importance of “Brain Health” at the political level in order to motivate societies to establish neurological care or, for example, to implement prevention programs.
At the WHO “World Health Assembly” in 2022, the member states adopted the “Intersectoral Global Action Plan for Epilepsy and Other Neurological Disorders 2022–2031” to prevent and combat neurological diseases worldwide through prevention. To achieve this, various goals were defined, such as promoting research and advancing therapies. From my point of view, “advocacy” for “Brain Health” is of particular importance, because first we have to illustrate the importance of neurology – in our own community, in hospitals, and above all politically. Even globally, it is still an ambitious goal to embed “Brain Health” at the political level – that can only succeed by working together.
What does the WFN do in terms of political networking?
The WFN is closely networked with the WHO in order to strengthen neurology and further expand the reputation of the field. This is of particular importance—ultimately also to improve neurological care worldwide. The WHO can provide countries with structural guidelines—and here we can actively exert influence. The WFN has been working with the WHO for a long time and maintains so-called official relations as a global non-state actor (NSA). This entitles us to participate in the various WHO meetings, to submit statements, and thus to bring the voice of neurology to the table. In this way, the already mentioned “Intersectoral Global Action Plan for Epilepsy and Other Neurological Disorders” (IGAP) came into being. It describes comprehensive measures for improving neurological care and the quality of life of people with neurological diseases. It outlines a systematic action plan to raise awareness among the public and policymakers for “Brain Health”, to reduce discrimination against people with neurological diseases, and to promote research and innovation.
The WFN was also in a leading role in the development of the new WHO ICD-11 and actively contributed to the second edition of the WHO Neurology Atlas. Furthermore, there is also a close partnership between the WFN and the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations. Here as well, we promote neurology and give global neurology a voice, for example in the implementation of the “2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.”
How can national neurological societies participate in this and become politically active themselves?
Aside from the fact that the outlined engagement of the WFN at the level of the WHO and UN increases the awareness and reputation of the specialty, we also provide very concrete assistance with political lobbying. This is because the implementation of the IGAP by the countries requires a practical approach, which, however, can look different from country to country depending on the needs of the population and the context. We have developed a toolkit in which measures are listed and instruments and resources are suggested that can be used to implement the vision of the IGAP (see https://wfneurology.org/who-igap-toolkit).
Another point of connection is World Brain Day (WBD), which is now well established in many countries worldwide. It would be desirable for this day of action, which in 2025 will be under the motto “Brain Health for all Ages,” to become even better known in Germany and to receive more public attention. Here, too, we offer a toolbox with materials and are pleased about broad dissemination. The neurological societies can and should use this WBD to gain media visibility.
On which other topics should DGN and WFN work closely together?
We are already working closely together in many areas. The DGN is one of our “Member Societies,” for which we are very grateful and which has a long tradition. Remarkably, the World Congress in 1985 was held in Hamburg under the leadership of Prof. Klaus Poeck (https://worldneurologyonline.com/world-congress-of-neurology-through-the-years/). The membership fees of our partner societies also make it possible for us to fulfil our mission of striving for the best possible neurological care worldwide.
We have comprehensive education programs that are aimed especially at doctors from low- and middle-income countries. We not only offer many online training courses in our “WFN e-Learning Hub,” but also, through our “Department Visit Program,” enable neurologists from structurally weak regions to work for four to six weeks in neurological departments in industrialised countries. Furthermore, we award travel grants to international congresses and currently maintain four training centers in Africa (in Rabat, Cairo, Dakar, and Cape Town).
In addition to these professional training opportunities, we now also offer, together with the American Academy of Neurology, a “Global Advocacy Leadership Program” (GALP, see https://wfneurology.org/education/galp). This is about enabling young neurologists from low-income countries to successfully engage in political “advocacy work” for the specialty so that they can set the course for building a neurological care structure. All of this is supported by the DGN as a member society.
But the DGN is also an important partner beyond financial engagement. For example, we have just been able to adopt the “Department Visit Program in Germany 2025,” within the framework of which two colleagues from Sub-Saharan Africa will visit the departments of neurology at two university hospitals (Frankfurt a. M. and Halle/Saale) in Germany in October 2025 to continue their education and to get to know the German healthcare and neurology system. These programs are always evaluated very positively by the participants, and I am pleased that we can continue them together with the DGN.
Of course, there are also close relationships between the leadership of the DGN and the WFN, and I am particularly pleased that DGN President Prof. Dr. Daniela Berg will participate in our congress in Seoul in October. Furthermore, many DGN members work in WFN committees and provide valuable input. One example is the “Sub-Committee for Young Neurologists,” which is led by Prof. Helmar Lehmann from Leverkusen and which maintains a lively exchange with the “Junge Neurologie” of the DGN.
Which further joint projects are planned?
We are currently working on an exchange program in the opposite direction. The idea is a program through which young neurologists from Germany can work in Africa for a while. This is not about development aid, but about bilateral knowledge transfer and exchange of experience. In Africa, the daily focal points of neurology are completely different; the dominant topics are neuroinfection and neurotrauma. There are many traffic accidents, and infectious diseases are widespread—not only HIV, but also, for example, typhoid, tetanus, hepatitis. The doctors from Germany see many diseases that are otherwise rather rare in everyday clinical practice, which trains the fundamental medical understanding. Beyond that, the young people also experience how everyday practice presents itself in these countries and how existential the problems there are. These experiences can change one’s perspective on many things and can be enriching for a lifetime.
Between the DGN and the WFN there is thus a close partnership, and I look forward to continuing the joint work and to further future projects! And of course, I would like to take this opportunity to warmly invite all members of the DGN to our congress in Seoul, Korea, from October 12 to 15.
Thank you very much for this conversation!
Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Grisold is a specialist in neurology and psychiatry. His scientific focuses are neuro-oncology, neuromuscular diseases, as well as palliative medicine in neurology. In this field, he has published 15 books and 290 scientific papers. Since his retirement from the hospital, Wolfgang Grisold has been associated with the Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Experimental and Clinical Traumatology in Vienna. Since 2022, he has been President of the WFN.
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