Brain Health and Disability: Leave No One Behind

The World Federation of Neurology’s (WFN) 10th Anniversary of World Brain Day was celebrated on July 22, 2023 under the theme "Brain Health and Disability."

This year's World Brain Day campaign achieved remarkable success, engaging millions worldwide and uniting diverse groups, including organizations, individuals, patient advocates, and societies, to advance the cause of Brain Health and Disability. The global reach and impact of the campaign were evident as it resonated across all corners of the globe, emphasizing awareness, advocacy, support, prevention, and education. Notably, the participation in World Brain Day 2023 was impressive, with 743 individuals registering for the webinar from various parts of the world. The event also made significant waves on social media platforms, particularly Facebook, with over 4.4 million people reached and a substantial increase in profile visits and page likes.

The 10th Anniversary of World Brain Day in 2023 highlighted the importance of unity in promoting brain health and inclusivity for individuals with disabilities. The event's success demonstrated the power of global collaboration and advocacy in creating a lasting impact. WFN extends their gratitude to all participants who contributed to making this year's World Brain Day a resounding success.

This World Brain Day is framed by five key aims:

• Prevention: Brain disabilities can be prevented, treated and rehabilitated.
• Awareness: Global brain health awareness can reduce the disability associated with brain disorders.
• Access: Universal access to care, treatment, rehabilitation and assistive technology is essential.
• Education: Education increases equity for those living with brain disabilities.
• Advocacy: Brain health is a human right that applies to everyone, everywhere.

This initiative expanded awareness and helped illustrate the complexity of issues that individuals with disabilities often face and will emphasize the importance of prioritizing efforts to make the world more accessible and equitable for everyone. With the world's support, we can ensure we leave no one behind. 

WFNR World Brain Day Webinar

The World Federaton for Neurorehabilitation organised a webinar and round table discussion on 22 July after the WFN webinar.

Topics covered included:

• Neurorehabilitation: Where are we - where to go: Future perspectives 
• The WFNR Task Force for Community Based Rehabilitation
• WFNR contribution to global international strategies
• Disability solutions worldwide (Round table discussions)
• The neurology revolution: the global burden of neurological diseases and strategies for enhancing brain capital for human development 
• Integrated care in perseveration (acute care), prevention (secondary prevention) and plasticity (recovery) to maximize post-stroke outcome 

Prevention

• Disability results from the relationship between a person's health condition and environmental factors—including stigma, inaccessible public spaces and a lack of social support, according to WHO.
• Almost everyone will experience temporary or permanent disability at some point in their life.
• A person's environment influences how they experience the disability they live with.
• Brain disabilities can be prevented, treated and rehabilitated.
• If the current rate continues, it is estimated only 23% of the burden from neurological disorders will be prevented by 2040.

Awareness

• Neurological disorders are the number one cause of disability-adjusted life years.
• Neurological disability can be long-term physical, mental, cognitive or sensory impairments that may restrict a person from fully participating in society. 
• Understanding the importance of prioritizing brain health requires an awareness of the important role the brain plays in leading a meaningful and purposeful life.
• Neurological disorders such as stroke, migraine, dementia, meningitis and epilepsy are the number one cause of disability-adjusted life years.
• People with disabilities can die up to 20 years earlier compared to people without disabilities.  
• People with disabilities are twice as likely to develop chronic conditions which can further negatively impact brain health such as depression, diabetes, obesity or stroke.
• Care for brain disabilities is often provided by unpaid family members or friends.

Access

• Universal health coverage and access is an essential aspect of health equity.
• Resources for improvement can be made locally to reduce gaps in equity.
• Access to diagnostics, medicines, interventional procedures, assistive technologies, biological products and cell and gene therapy are required to optimize brain health.

Education

• Education of health care professionals will reduce the global impact of brain disabilities.
• Public education will empower individuals to seek care, optimize their brain health and reduce the disability associated with neurological disorders.

Advocacy 

• Together, we must advocate for equality for those with disabilities and address discrimination.
• Stigma, discrimination and social exclusion are common challenges that people living with brain disabilities—and their families—unnecessarily endure.
• The prevention and care of brain disabilities is a responsibility for all of humanity. We must work to unite health officials, policymakers and the public to work together for solutions.