Only one in three countries has a national policy to address brain health, despite neurological conditions causing over 11 million deaths each year, a new WHO report reveals.
By Bunmi Yekini
The World Health Organization (WHO) has sounded a global alarm over the growing burden of neurological disorders, revealing that more than 3 billion people, or 40% of the world’s population, are now affected by conditions impacting the brain, nerves, and spinal cord.
According to WHO’s new Global Status Report on Neurology released on Thursday, less than one in three countries has a national policy to address these disorders, which collectively account for over 11 million deaths annually. The report warns that without urgent, coordinated action, the global burden of neurological diseases will continue to rise, worsening inequalities in healthcare access.
“With more than one in three 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 for Health Promotion, Disease Prevention and Control. “Many of these neurological conditions can be prevented or effectively treated, yet services remain out of reach for most, especially in rural and underserved areas, where people too often face stigma, social exclusion, and financial hardship.”
The report identifies stroke, neonatal encephalopathy, migraine, Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, diabetic neuropathy, meningitis, epilepsy, preterm-related neurological complications, autism spectrum disorders, and cancers of the nervous system as the top ten contributors to death and disability.
WHO notes that health inequities are stark: low-income countries have more than 80 times fewer neurologists compared to high-income nations. Only 32% of countries have a national policy on neurological disorders, and a mere 18% have dedicated funding to address them.
Essential services such as stroke units, rehabilitation, pediatric neurology, and palliative care are also lacking. Only 25% of countries include neurological disorders in their universal health coverage benefit packages, leaving millions without access to vital care.
“Health systems remain fragmented, under-resourced, and ill-equipped to meet the needs of patients and families,” the report warns. “Informal carers, most often women, are left without recognition or support, reinforcing social inequities and placing a significant financial strain on households.”
To address these gaps, WHO is urging countries to prioritize brain health, expand access to neurological care, promote prevention across the life course, and strengthen data and monitoring systems for better decision-making.
The organization pointed to the Intersectoral Global Action Plan on Epilepsy and Other Neurological Disorders, adopted by Member States in 2022, as a roadmap for reducing the burden and improving brain health globally.
“Without bold leadership, sustained investment, and inclusive policy action, millions more will continue to suffer needlessly,” WHO cautioned. “Now is the time for governments to act, to ensure brain health becomes a universal priority.”