Published: October 14, 2025
Category: Global Health News
By: Yarima.org Health Editorial Team
Source: Adapted from the World Health Organization (WHO)
🌍 A Global Health Wake-Up Call
The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a major warning: neurological disorders now cause more than 11 million deaths every year, yet fewer than one-third of countries have a national plan to address them.
According to WHO’s new Global Status Report on Neurology, over 3 billion people — more than 40% of the global population — are living with neurological conditions.
These conditions include:
- Stroke
- Neonatal encephalopathy
- Migraine
- Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias
- Diabetic neuropathy
- Meningitis
- Epilepsy
- Neurological complications from preterm birth
- Autism spectrum disorders
- Cancers of the nervous system
🚨 Gaps in Global Neurological Care
The report highlights a sharp imbalance between high- and low-income countries. In poorer nations, there are over 80 times fewer neurologists than in wealthy countries.
Only 1 in 3 countries (32%) has a national policy for neurological care, and just 18% have dedicated funding to address these conditions.
Essential services like stroke units, pediatric neurology, rehabilitation, and palliative care are often unavailable — especially in rural areas. This leaves millions of people without access to timely or effective treatment.
👩⚕️ “We Must Act Now”
“With more than 1 in 3 people in the world living with conditions affecting their brain, we must do all we can to improve the health care they need,”
said Dr. Jeremy Farrar, WHO Assistant Director-General.
He emphasized that while many neurological conditions can be prevented or treated, care remains out of reach for most — especially those facing stigma, poverty, or living in remote regions.
💡 The Human Impact
The report also shines light on caregivers, many of whom are women providing unpaid, informal care.
Only 46 countries offer carer services, and just 44 have legal protections in place — leaving millions of families unsupported.
Weak health information systems and limited funding for research in low- and middle-income countries also make it difficult to create effective policies or measure progress.
🧭 The Way Forward: WHO’s Global Action Plan
In 2022, WHO launched the Intersectoral Global Action Plan on Epilepsy and Other Neurological Disorders, giving countries a roadmap to strengthen brain health and reduce inequalities.
The plan encourages governments to:
- Prioritize neurological care with clear policies and sustainable funding.
- Expand access to essential neurological services under universal health coverage.
- Promote brain health throughout life by addressing risk factors like poor nutrition, infections, and head injuries.
- Strengthen data systems for smarter, evidence-based decisions.
🧩 Why This Matters
Without immediate action, the burden of neurological conditions — from stroke to dementia — will continue to grow, deepening health and social inequalities around the world.
Every person, regardless of where they live, deserves access to brain health care and early diagnosis.
Source:
World Health Organization (WHO). Global Status Report on Neurology, released October 2025.