A landmark report from the World Health Organization (WHO) has revealed that more than one in three people worldwide — over 3 billion individuals — are living with a neurological condition, making these disorders the leading cause of illness and disability across the globe.
The Global Status Report on Neurology ⧉, launched by WHO in March 2024, highlights the immense and growing burden of neurological diseases—from stroke and dementia to migraine, epilepsy, and developmental disorders. According to the report, the total health burden linked to neurological conditions has risen by 18% since 1990, with the greatest impact seen in low- and middle-income countries where access to neurologists and specialist care remains scarce.
WFN President Prof. Wolfgang Grisold said the report marks a turning point in how the world must view brain health and neurological care:
“This WHO study makes the scale of the challenge unmistakable. Neurological disorders are the world’s leading cause of disability, affecting over three billion lives. We must now ensure that neurology moves to the centre of global health priorities — with stronger prevention, earlier diagnosis, and fair access to treatment for all.”Prof. Dr Wolfgang Grisold, WFN President
The WHO report also underscores that many neurological conditions are preventable. Up to 84% of stroke-related health loss, for instance, could be averted through better control of key risk factors such as high blood pressure, air pollution, and smoking.
It further reveals a severe lack of qualified health professionals, with low-income countries facing up to 82 times fewer neurologists per 100 000 people compared to high-income nations. This shortage means that for many patients, timely diagnosis, treatment, and ongoing care are simply out of reach.
This landmark report presents the first global baseline assessment of countries’ responses to neurological conditions under the Intersectoral Global Action Plan on Epilepsy and Other Neurological Disorders 2022–2031 (IGAP), which seeks to improve brain health and reduce inequalities worldwide.
Based on data from 102 WHO Member States, representing 71% of the global population, the report establishes 2,022 baseline values for the ten global IGAP targets. It identifies key gaps, barriers, and inequities, and provides data-driven, actionable recommendations to help countries advance IGAP’s strategic objectives.
The World Federation of Neurology (WFN) joins the WHO in calling for urgent global action — greater investment in neurological services, research, and workforce training — to meet the needs of the billions already affected and to prevent millions more from developing avoidable neurological disease.
Source
World Health Organisation
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