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The World Health Organisation (WHO) on Tuesday called for urgent action to scale up care for neurological conditions, which affect over three billion people worldwide. The UN health agency stressed that many of these disorders could be prevented or effectively treated if adequate services were in place.
Neurological conditions impact more than 40 percent of the global population and contribute to over 11 million deaths annually, the WHO said. Leading conditions include stroke, migraine, Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, meningitis, and idiopathic epilepsy, according to 2021 data.
However, structural, financial, and social barriers are preventing progress, while misconceptions and stigma often stop people from seeking treatment. WHO assistant director-general Jeremy Farrar highlighted that many services remain inaccessible, particularly in rural and underserved regions, leaving patients without timely diagnosis, care, or support.
The WHO report revealed that only 63 countries have a national policy on neurological disorders, and just 34 report dedicated funding. Low-income nations have more than 80 times fewer neurologists than high-income countries, creating severe gaps in diagnosis and treatment. Furthermore, only 46 countries provide carer services, and just 44 offer legal protections for carers, leaving informal caregivers largely unsupported.
“Without action, the burden of neurological disorders will continue to rise,” the WHO warned, urging governments to prioritise brain health through sustained investment, expanded access to care, public awareness campaigns, and strengthened monitoring to improve policymaking.
